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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a prohibition on the public disclosure of information |
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in appraisal records that identifies a property owner. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 25, Tax Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 25.028 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 25.028. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION IDENTIFYING |
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PROPERTY OWNER. (a) Information in appraisal records under |
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Section 25.02 is confidential and available only for the official |
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use of the appraisal district, this state, the comptroller, and |
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taxing units and political subdivisions of this state if: |
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(1) the information identifies a property owner; and |
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(2) the property owner chooses to restrict public |
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access to the information on the form prescribed for that purpose by |
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the comptroller under Section 5.07. |
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(b) A choice made under Subsection (a) remains valid until |
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rescinded in writing by the property owner. |
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(c) An appraisal district, taxing unit, assessor, or |
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collector that posts appraisal record information on the Internet |
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must provide notice, on the main Internet website that provides an |
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Internet user with the means to search or access the information, of |
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a property owner's right to prohibit public disclosure of |
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information that identifies the owner in connection with property |
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included in the appraisal records and the procedure for prohibiting |
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disclosure of that information. |
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(d) This section does not prohibit the public disclosure of |
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information in appraisal records that identifies property |
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according to an address, if the information does not identify an |
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owner who has chosen to prohibit disclosure of information that |
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identifies the owner under Subsection (a) in connection with the |
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property. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |