85R12473 LHC-F
By: Ashby H.B. No. 3975
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to qualification of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax
purposes as timber land.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 23.72, Tax Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 23.72. QUALIFICATION FOR PRODUCTIVITY APPRAISAL. (a)
In this section, "land" includes roads, rights-of-way, buffer
areas, fire breaks, property taken through the exercise of eminent
domain, and other real property associated with the production of
timber or forest products.
(b) Land qualifies for appraisal as provided by this
subchapter if it is currently and actively devoted principally to
production of timber or forest products to the degree of intensity
generally accepted in the area with intent to produce income and has
been devoted principally to production of timber or forest products
or to agricultural use that would qualify the land for appraisal
under Subchapter C or D [of this chapter] for five of the preceding
seven years.
SECTION 2. Section 23.72, Tax Code, as amended by this Act,
applies only to the appraisal of land for ad valorem tax purposes
for a tax year that begins on or after January 1, 2018.
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, 2017.