BILL ANALYSIS
By: Davis, Yvonne
Local Government Ways & Means
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, some appraisal districts provide internet listings of information relating to property owners' tax appraisal records. Some districts include in this online listing the physical address of the property, a description, and the name of the owner of the property.
In order to provide security and privacy for property owners, House bill 1655 would allow the homeowner to petition the appraisal district, a taxing unit, or a tax assessor or collector to exclude the property owner's name from the property related information posted on the Internet.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 1655 amends Chapter 25 of the Tax Code by adding Section 25.028 which would prohibit an appraisal district, taxing unit, or tax assessor/collector from posting, on the internet, the name of the owner of property in the appraisal records, if the owner chooses not to disclose this information by indicating as such in a form prescribed by the comptroller. Notice of the property owner's right not to disclose the owner's name in the appraisal record and the procedure for prohibiting disclosure of this information must be included on the main internet site of the appraisal district, taxing unit, or tax assessor or collector, if appraisal record information is provided on the internet site. The property owner's choice not to disclose remains valid until rescinded in writing by the owner. H.B. 1655 would not prohibit the online disclosure of information that identifies property according to an address if the owner has chosen not to disclose his or her name in the appraisal record.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.