Texas Senate Bill SB598

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of an appraisal review board to determine the appraised value of property that is the subject of a protest to be an amount greater than the appraised value as shown in the appraisal records.

Impact

If enacted, SB598 would influence how property protests are managed within Texas, explicitly limiting the ability of appraisal review boards to raise property values during disputes. This amendment to the Tax Code would likely reduce instances where appraisal values could be contested based solely on review board decisions. The intent is to protect property owners from sudden increases in valuation during protests and ensure that property values are transparent and agreed upon in the context of the appraisal process.

Summary

SB598 aims to amend the Texas Tax Code, specifically regarding the authority of appraisal review boards when determining the appraised value of property that is subject to protest. The proposed change stipulates that an appraisal review board cannot increase the appraised value of a property beyond what is recorded in the appraisal records unless both parties in the protest agree to such an increase. This seeks to formalize procedures during appraisal protests and provide clearer guidelines on how appraised values are determined during disputes.

Contention

Notably, while the bill may garner support from property owners who appreciate the safeguards it introduces, concerns exist among some legislators and appraisal professionals. Critics may argue that limiting the appraisal review board's authority could hinder its ability to assess properties accurately in situations where agreed valuations do not reflect the true market value. This could create a tension between ensuring fair assessments and allowing the appraisal review boards the flexibility to make adjustments that reflect real estate market conditions.