81R7324 SMH-D
By: Parker H.B. No. 3596
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition on the public disclosure of information
in appraisal records that identifies a property owner.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 25, Tax Code, is amended by adding
Section 25.028 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.028. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION IDENTIFYING
PROPERTY OWNER. (a) Information in appraisal records under
Section 25.02 is confidential and available only for the official
use of the appraisal district, this state, the comptroller, and
taxing units and political subdivisions of this state if:
(1) the information identifies a property owner; and
(2) the property owner chooses to restrict public
access to the information on the form prescribed for that purpose by
the comptroller under Section 5.07.
(b) A choice made under Subsection (a) remains valid until
rescinded in writing by the property owner.
(c) An appraisal district, taxing unit, assessor, or
collector that posts appraisal record information on the Internet
must provide notice, on the main Internet website that provides an
Internet user with the means to search or access the information, of
a property owner's right to prohibit public disclosure of
information that identifies the owner in connection with property
included in the appraisal records and the procedure for prohibiting
disclosure of that information.
(d) This section does not prohibit the public disclosure of
information in appraisal records that identifies property
according to an address, if the information does not identify an
owner who has chosen to prohibit disclosure of information that
identifies the owner under Subsection (a) in connection with the
property.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.