By: Patrick  S.B. No. 1255
         (In the Senate - Filed March 6, 2013; March 13, 2013, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Finance; April 9, 2013,
  reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the
  following vote:  Yeas 14, Nays 0; April 9, 2013, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1255 By:  Whitmire
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to binding arbitration of an appraisal review board order
  determining a protest of an unequal appraisal of the owner's
  property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 41A.01, Tax Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 41A.01.  RIGHT OF APPEAL BY PROPERTY OWNER. As an
  alternative to filing an appeal under Section 42.01, a property
  owner is entitled to appeal through binding arbitration under this
  chapter an appraisal review board order determining a protest filed
  under Section 41.41(a)(1) or (2) concerning the appraised or market
  value of property if:
               (1)  the property qualifies as the owner's residence
  homestead under Section 11.13; or
               (2)  the appraised or market value, as applicable, of
  the property as determined by the order is $1 million or less.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 41A.06, Tax Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 41A.06.  REGISTRY AND [INITIAL] QUALIFICATION OF
  ARBITRATORS.
         SECTION 3.  Section 41A.06, Tax Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  An arbitrator must complete a training program on
  property tax law before conducting a hearing on an arbitration
  relating to the appeal of an appraisal review board order
  determining a protest filed under Section 41.41(a)(2). The
  training program must:
               (1)  emphasize the requirements regarding the equal and
  uniform appraisal of property;
               (2)  be at least four hours in length; and
               (3)  be approved by the comptroller.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
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