BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 533
87R864 LHC-F	By: Shine; Lambert (Bettencourt)
	Local Government
	4/20/2021
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In the 84th Legislative Session, S.B. 1492 passed and was signed by the governor to permit Harris County to conduct online auctions of seized personal property under a tax warrant.

 

H.B. 533 will permit any county in Texas that wishes to conduct online auctions of seized personal property that same ability, once the commissioners court in that county authorizes the online sales.

 

H.B. 533 amends current law relating to ad valorem tax sales of personal property seized under a tax warrant.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 33.25(a) and (b), Tax Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires that the posting of the notice and the sale of property seized under a tax warrant be conducted by the peace officer or collector, as specified in the warrant, in the manner required for the sale under execution of personal property, or under an agreement authorized by Subsection (b) (relating to an agreement with an auctioneer to advertise and conduct the auction). Deletes existing text requiring that the posting of the notice and the sale of the property be conducted, in a county other than a county having a population of three million or more, by the peace officer in the manner required for the sale under execution of personal property. Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.

 

(b) Provides that the commissioners court of a county, rather than a county having a population of three million or more, by official action may authorize a peace officer or the collector for the county charged with selling property under Subchapter B (Seizure of Personal Property) by public auction to enter into an agreement with a person who holds an auctioneer's license to advertise the auction sale of the property and to conduct the auction sale of the property. Provides that the agreement may provide for on-line bidding and sale.

 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.