84R8231 LEH-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 1537
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the sunset review of the authority of the governing
bodies of taxing units to contract with attorneys to represent the
taxing units in enforcing the collection of delinquent ad valorem
taxes on property in the taxing units.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The Sunset Advisory Commission shall review
the authority of the governing bodies of taxing units under Section
6.30(c), Tax Code, to contract with attorneys to represent the
taxing units in the enforcement of the collection of delinquent ad
valorem taxes, including:
(1) the appropriateness of the terms and conditions of
contracts entered into under that subsection;
(2) the reasonableness of the compensation set in
contracts entered into under that subsection;
(3) the quality of the actual representation of
attorneys contracted to represent taxing units under that
subsection;
(4) the effectiveness of attorneys with which taxing
units have contracted under that subsection in collecting
delinquent ad valorem taxes on behalf of the taxing units; and
(5) the procedure for determining the property owners
against which delinquent tax suits should be brought by attorneys
with which taxing units have contracted.
(b) The Sunset Advisory Commission shall report its
findings to the legislature not later than December 1, 2016.
SECTION 2. 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, 2015.