H.B. No. 499 AN ACT relating to the additional penalty for collection costs for certain delinquent ad valorem taxes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 33.08(b), Tax Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The governing body of the taxing unit or appraisal district, in the manner required by law for official action, may provide that taxes that become delinquent on or after June 1 under Section 26.07(f), 26.15(e), 31.03, 31.031, 31.032, [or] 31.04, or 42.42 incur an additional penalty to defray costs of collection. The amount of the penalty may not exceed the amount of the compensation specified in the applicable contract with an attorney under Section 6.30 to be paid in connection with the collection of the delinquent taxes. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to additional penalties on taxes that become delinquent on or after the effective date of this Act. Additional penalties on taxes that become delinquent before the effective date of this Act are governed by the law in effect when the taxes become delinquent, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 499 was passed by the House on April 19, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 499 was passed by the Senate on May 21, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor