By: Martinez Fischer H.B. No. 4236

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the property value study task force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the property value study task force.

(b) The task force is established to examine the use and impacts of the property value study conducted by the comptroller of public accounts under Section 403.302, Government Code, and to develop recommendations on the elimination of the property value study and alternative methods by which the goals of the property value study may be accomplished.

(c) The task force is composed of nine members appointed as follows:

(1) two members appointed by the governor to represent the interests of taxpayers;

(2) one member appointed by the governor to represent appraisal districts;

(3) two members appointed by the governor to represent local taxing units;

(4) two members of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(5) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force duties. The task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to pay for those expenses.

(e) The task force shall choose the presiding officer from among their members.

(f) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the presiding officer.

(g) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any other law, the task force may meet by telephone conference call, videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method is subject to the requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government Code.

(h) The task force shall examine:

(1) the effects of the property value study on appraisals and all taxing units;

(2) the administrative burden the property value study imposes on appraisal districts, the comptroller of public accounts, and local taxing units;

(3) the effectiveness of the property value study in achieving its purpose as defined in Section 403.301, Government Code;

(4) the viability of alternative means and methods to ensure the accuracy of the determination of the value of taxable property for the purpose of the equitable distribution of financial aid for public education in this state; and

(5) the correlation of results between the property value study and other appraisal district studies conducted by the comptroller of public accounts including the appraisal district ratio study, methods and assistance program, and targeted appraisal review program.

(i) The task force may request relevant information from the comptroller of public accounts; the entity receiving the request shall comply with the request.

(j) The task force shall develop recommendations for the most appropriate methods by which to address issues identified with the continued use of the property value study, which may include the elimination or replacement of the property value study.

(k) The task force shall develop and submit a written report on the use of the property value study and recommendations developed by the task force to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature not later than November 1, 2026.

(l) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.