BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 1452

By: Bettencourt

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties suggest that, given the amount of auction items processed by certain commissioners courts and general increased usage of and access to the Internet, online auctions would greatly benefit many commissioners courts in Texas. S.B. 1452 seeks to grant commissioners courts the power to authorize property tax sales of real property to be conducted by means of online auctions.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

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

 

S.B. 1452 amends the Tax Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county by official action to authorize the officer charged with selling real property seized under a tax warrant or ordered sold pursuant to foreclosure of a tax lien to conduct a public auction using online bidding and sale. The bill authorizes the commissioners court to adopt rules governing the online auctions and makes the rules effective on the 90th day after the date the rules are published in the real property records of the county.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.