Honorable Gary Elkins, Chair, House Committee on Government Transparency & Operation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1169 by Flynn (Relating to the confidentiality of certain information in the possession of an appraisal district; amending provisions subject to a criminal penalty.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 22 of the Tax Code, regarding property tax renditions and other reports, to provide that rendition statements, and the information contained in those statements, and income and expense information related to a property filed with an appraisal office, are automatically confidential and not open to public inspection. (A promise of confidentiality by an appraisal office official is required for confidentiality to apply under current law). Other information the property owner provides to the appraisal office in connection with the appraisal of the property is confidential and not open to public inspection contingent on a promise of confidentiality.
The bill would not affect taxable property values, tax rates, collection rates, or any other variable which might affect the revenues of units of local governments or the state.
The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment, assuming that it received the requisite two-thirds majority votes in both houses of the Legislature. Otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2015.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.