Honorable Jane Nelson, Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1215 by Bettencourt (Relating to abolishing the property tax assistance division of the office of the comptroller of public accounts and transferring its powers and duties to the newly created State Property Tax Board.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated to transfer the Property Tax Assistance Division from the office of the Comptroller to the proposed State Property Tax Board; this estimate assumes that the transfer would be executed in such a way as to cause minimal cost to the state.
The bill would abolish the Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD) within the office of the Comptroller and transfer all powers and duties of PTAD to a proposed State Property Tax Board (SPTB). Certain other powers and duties of the Comptroller not currently administered by PTAD, relating to administration of Tax Increment Financing Act, Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act, and the Texas Economic Development Act, would also be transferred to the SPTB. The bill would require the SPTB to reimburse the general revenue fund with all money received as reimbursement from appraisal districts or property owners for the cost of SPTB's performance audits. The bill would transfer all appropriations made to the Comptroller for the duties of PTAD to the SPTB.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2015. As soon as practicable after the effective date, but not later than October 1, 2015, the Governor would be required to appoint seven members to the SPTB to certain specified terms of office. Not later than November 1, 2015, PTAD and SPTB would be required to adopt a comprehensive transition plan to transfer the powers and duties of PTAD to SPTB. The plan may include an agreement for the provision of office space, utilities and other facility services, and support services and for the transfer of information technology as necessary or appropriate to effect the transfer of powers and duties from PTAD to SPTB. For the purposes of this estimate, it is assumed that this agreement would be executed in such a way as to cause minimal cost to the state.
Not later than December 1, 2015, the head of PTAD would be required to meet with SPTB to provide for the transfer of essential personnel to SPTB. PTAD would be required to continue, as necessary, to perform the duties and functions being transferred to SPTB until the transfer of duties and functions are complete. All powers and duties of PTAD would be abolished and transferred to the SPTB on January 1, 2016.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.