BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 402
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
C.S.H.B. 402 creates a misdemeanor offense for communications between a board member and the chief appraiser of an appraisal district if the communications are made outside of an open or other authorized meeting as set forth in the bill.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 6, Tax Code, by adding Section 6.15, as follows:
Sec. 6.15. EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS; PENALTY. (a) Provides that a member of the board of directors of an appraisal district (board) commits an offense if the member directly or indirectly communicates with the chief appraiser on any matter relating to the appraisal of property by the appraisal district, except in certain circumstances.
(b) Provides that a chief appraiser commits an offense if the chief appraiser directly or indirectly communicates with a board member on such a matter, except as set forth in this subsection.
(c) Provides that Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a routine communication between the chief appraiser and the county assessor-collector that relates to the administration of an appraisal roll, including a communication made in connection with the certification, correction, or collection of an account, regardless of whether the county assessor-collector was appointed to the board or serves as a nonvoting director.
(d) Provides that an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.