Texas Senate Bill SB1703

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of the governing body of a taxing unit to waive penalties and interest on the delinquent ad valorem taxes of certain federal employees if the delinquency is the result of a federal government shutdown.

Impact

If enacted, SB1703 would amend the Tax Code to allow for a new provision that permits the waiver of penalties and interests accrued on delinquent taxes for qualifying federal employees. The bill specifies the timeframe within which a waiver request must be submitted and lays out the necessary evidence that a taxpayer must provide to qualify for financial relief. This legislative measure not only aims to offer a safety net for affected employees but also preserves the fiscal integrity of local taxing units by allowing for such waivers under specific circumstances.

Summary

Senate Bill 1703 seeks to grant authority to the governing bodies of taxing units to waive penalties and interest on delinquent ad valorem taxes specifically for federal employees who faced financial difficulties due to a government shutdown. The legislation is particularly aimed at those federal workers who were either furloughed or expected to work without pay during such federal interruptions. The objective is to provide relief to this specific group by alleviating some of the financial burdens they may encounter during periods of government inactivity.

Contention

One point of contention that may arise from SB1703 is the potential financial impact on local governments' revenues. While the bill provides necessary relief to federal workers during unprecedented financial strains, it may also result in decreased revenue for taxing units that rely on timely payments of ad valorem taxes to fund public services. Various stakeholders, including local government officials and financial analysts, may debate the balance between providing necessary aid to federal employees and ensuring the fiscal health of taxing jurisdictions.