79R5440 SMH-D

By:  Seliger                                                      S.B. No. 541



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the confidentiality of photographs of certain 
residential property held by an appraisal district.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 25, Tax Code, is amended by adding 
Section 25.027 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.027.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF CERTAIN 
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.  (a)  Information in appraisal records is 
confidential and is available only for the official use of the 
appraisal district, this state, the comptroller, and taxing units 
and political subdivisions of this state if the information is a 
photograph of an improvement to real property that:
		(1)  is designed primarily for use as a human 
residence; and         
		(2)  is not a residence homestead.                                     
	(b)  This section does not apply to an aerial photograph that 
depicts five or more separately owned buildings.
	SECTION 2.  Section 25.027, Tax Code, as added by this Act, 
prohibits the disclosure of information in appraisal records made 
confidential under that section only on or after the effective date 
of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.