BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1254

By: Murphy

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding whether property is eligible to be designated for an agricultural use if the property secures a home equity loan. H.B. 1254 seeks to clear this confusion by revising the eligibility of land to be designated for such use. 

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. 1254 repeals Section 23.42(a-1), Tax Code, which establishes that an individual is not entitled on or after January 1, 2008, to have land designated for agricultural use for property tax purposes if the land secures a home equity loan, and amends the Tax Code to make a conforming change. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2020.