HBA-LCA H.B. 2583 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2583 By: Eiland Ways & Means 4/15/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The installation of a windstorm protective device often raises the value of a property, which may cause a property owner to avoid installing such a device. To encourage property owners to install windstorm protective devices, H.B. 2583 amends Chapter 11, Tax Code (Taxable Property and Exemptions), to provide a property tax exemption for the amount of appraised value that occurs as a result of installing the windstorm protective device. This bill requires the comptroller of public accounts, with the Texas Department of Insurance or its successor (department), to develop guidelines to help local officials administer this program, and assigns the department, by rule, the authority to define "windstorm protective device." RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the commissioner of insurance in SECTION 1 (Section 11.272, Tax Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 11, Tax Code, by adding Section 11.272, as follows: Sec. 11.272. WINDSTORM PROTECTION DEVICES. (a) Provides that a person is entitled to a tax exemption for the amount of appraised value of his property that arises from the installation or construction of a windstorm protection device. (b) Requires the comptroller of public accounts, with the assistance of the Texas Department of Insurance (department) or its successor, to develop guidelines to assist local officials in the administration of this section. (c) Requires that the commissioner of insurance have rulemaking authority to determine the definition of "windstorm protection device." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.