84R9609 CJC-F By: Parker H.B. No. 3013 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the mediation and settlement of certain disputes relating to ad valorem taxation. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Tax Code, is amended by adding Section 1.16 to read as follows: Sec. 1.16. AUTHORITY TO MEDIATE AND SETTLE CERTAIN DISPUTES. (a) The governing body of a taxing unit that is a party to a matter before a court may designate a representative to attend mediation ordered by the court if the matter before the court is: (1) a delinquent tax suit under Chapter 33; or (2) the judicial review of an appraisal review board order under Chapter 42. (b) The representative designated under Subsection (a) may negotiate the settlement of a matter described by that subsection on behalf of the taxing unit. The settlement proposal is not final or enforceable unless the proposal is approved by the governing body of the taxing unit that designated the representative. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an order to mediate entered in a delinquent tax suit under Chapter 33, Tax Code, or an order to mediate entered in the judicial review of an appraisal review board order under Chapter 42, Tax Code, on or after the effective date of this Act. An order to mediate entered before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the order was entered, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.