HBA-SEP H.B. 3392 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3392
By: Oliveira
Ways & Means
3/30/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law authorizes a property owner to inspect appraisal records of the
owner's property.  However, property owners have been denied access to
appraisal records because current law does require the chief appraiser to
provide such access.  House Bill 3392 entitles a property owner to inspect
appraisal records of the owner's property.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3392 amends the Tax Code to specify that a property owner or the
owner's designated agent (owner) is entitled to inspect and copy the
appraisal records relating to the owner's property.  An owner whose
property is appraised by a private appraisal firm under an appraisal
district contract for appraisal services is entitled to inspect and copy
all information the appraisal firm considers in appraising the property,
including the appraisal demonstrating the approaches to value used and the
calculations made and personal notes, correspondence, working papers, and
thought processes.  The appraisal firm is required to make the information
available for inspection and copying within 15 days after the date the
owner delivers a written request to inspect the information unless the
owner agrees in writing to a later date.  If an owner states in a document
filed with an appraisal review board in connection with a proceeding
initiated for the review or correction of an appraisal roll that an
appraisal firm has not allowed inspection and copying of information as
required, the board is prohibited from holding a hearing and from approving
the appraisal records relating to the property until it has determined in a
hearing that the appraisal firm has allowed inspection and copying or the
owner has withdrawn the protest or motion.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.