BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2654

By: Stucky

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, some county tax assessor-collectors have expressed concern regarding their personal liability under local government programs to fund water and energy savings improvements through assessments. H.B. 2654 seeks to address these concerns by clarifying that county tax assessor-collectors are afforded the same protections as other local government officials under the programs.

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

H.B. 2654 amends the Local Government Code to exempt a county assessor-collector who performs the duties of a local government relating to collection of assessments imposed by a local government under the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act from personal liability for exercising those duties under the act. The bill includes elected officials of a local government who are not members of the governing body of the local government among the persons exempt from personal liability for exercising any rights or responsibilities granted under the act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.