BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 3514

                                                                                                                                     By: Rodriguez

                                                                                                     Local Government Ways & Means

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Homestead exemptions are the most important tax saving mechanism for Texas homeowners.    Unfortunately, many Texans are currently not receiving their exemptions because they do not have necessary information on file with their county appraisal district.  Additionally, some property owners can fraudulently claim homestead exemptions on property in other counties that is not eligible for an exemption.

 

C.S.H.B. 3514 addresses these problems by requiring the Department of Public Safety to provide a copy of each driver's license record or personal identification certificate record; or information relating to the name, date of birth, driver's license record or personal identification certificate record and addresses.  By updating the databases of the appraisal districts, many Texans will receive the tax relief they deserve and chief appraisers will be able to better protect against fraud.

 

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

 

Section 1. Amends Section 521.049, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to require the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide a free copy of each drivers license record or personal identification certificate record held by the department; or information relating to the name, date of birth, drivers license or personal identification certificate number and most recent address relating to the chief appraiser of each appraisal district. This Section excludes social security numbers as well as accident and conviction information.

 

Section 2. Amends Section 11.43, Tax Code by amending Subsection (m) and adding Subsection (m-1) to conform to the changes to Section 521.049, Transportation Code.

 

Section 3. Effective date.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute states the purpose of providing information under C.S.H.B. 3514 is to assist chief appraisers in determining eligibility of individuals for residence homestead exemptions from ad valorem taxation. The substitute eliminates the requirement that the department provide the information annually, and adds records of all persons on file, rather than only certain age groups, to the information provided.  The substitute excludes information relating to social security numbers, accident and conviction information.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007, or immediately upon receipt of two-thirds of all members of each house.