Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2288 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/25/2021

                            87R4696 SMT-D
 By: White H.B. No. 2288


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the repeal of the additional ad valorem taxes imposed as
 a result of the sale or change in the use of land appraised as
 agricultural or open-space land.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 ARTICLE 1.  REPEAL OF ADDITIONAL TAX PROVISIONS IN SUBCHAPTERS C AND
 D, CHAPTER 23, TAX CODE
 SECTION 1.01.  Section 1.07(d), Tax Code, is amended to read
 as follows:
 (d)  A notice required by Section 11.43(q), 11.45(d),
 23.44(d), [23.46(c) or (f),] 23.54(e), 23.541(c), [23.55(e),]
 23.551(a), 23.57(d), 23.76(e), 23.79(d), or 23.85(d) must be sent
 by certified mail.
 SECTION 1.02.  Section 23.20(g), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (g)  A waiver of a special appraisal of property under
 Subchapter [C, D,] E, F, or G of this chapter does not constitute a
 change of use of the property or diversion of the property to
 another use for purposes of the imposition of additional taxes
 under any of those subchapters.
 SECTION 1.03.   Section 23.52(e), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (e)  The [For the purposes of Section 23.55 of this code,
 the] chief appraiser [also] shall determine the market value of
 qualified open-space land and shall record both the market value
 and the appraised value in the appraisal records.
 SECTION 1.04.  Section 23.524(e), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) or (c), the eligibility
 of [For the purposes of this subchapter, a change of use of the]
 land subject to this section for appraisal under this subchapter is
 considered to have ended [occurred] on the day the period
 prescribed by Subsection (c) begins if the owner has not fully
 complied with the terms of the agreement described by Subsection
 (b) on the date the agreement ends.
 SECTION 1.05.  Sections 23.551(a) and (d), Tax Code, are
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  If land appraised as provided by this subchapter is
 owned by an individual 65 years of age or older, before making a
 determination that [a change in use of] the land is no longer
 eligible for appraisal under this subchapter [has occurred], the
 chief appraiser shall deliver a written notice to the owner stating
 that the chief appraiser believes [a change in use of] the land may
 no longer be eligible for appraisal under this subchapter [have
 occurred].
 (d)  If the chief appraiser does not receive a response on or
 before the 60th day after the date the notice is mailed, the chief
 appraiser must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner and
 determine whether the land remains eligible to be appraised as
 provided by this subchapter before determining that [a change in
 use of] the land is no longer eligible for appraisal under this
 subchapter [has occurred].
 SECTION 1.06.  Section 31.01(c), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (c)  The tax bill or a separate statement accompanying the
 tax bill shall:
 (1)  identify the property subject to the tax;
 (2)  state the appraised value, assessed value, and
 taxable value of the property;
 (3)  if the property is land appraised as provided by
 Subchapter C, D, E, or H, Chapter 23, state the market value of the
 land [and the taxable value for purposes of deferred or additional
 taxation as provided by Section 23.46, 23.55, 23.76, or 23.9807, as
 applicable];
 (4)  state the assessment ratio for the taxing unit;
 (5)  state the type and amount of any partial exemption
 applicable to the property, indicating whether it applies to
 appraised or assessed value;
 (6)  state the total tax rate for the taxing unit;
 (7)  state the amount of tax due, the due date, and the
 delinquency date;
 (8)  explain the payment option and discounts provided
 by Sections 31.03 and 31.05, if available to the taxing unit's
 taxpayers, and state the date on which each of the discount periods
 provided by Section 31.05 concludes, if the discounts are
 available;
 (9)  state the rates of penalty and interest imposed
 for delinquent payment of the tax;
 (10)  include the name and telephone number of the
 assessor for the taxing unit and, if different, of the collector for
 the taxing unit;
 (11)  for real property, state for the current tax year
 and each of the preceding five tax years:
 (A)  the appraised value and taxable value of the
 property;
 (B)  the total tax rate for the taxing unit;
 (C)  the amount of taxes imposed on the property
 by the taxing unit; and
 (D)  the difference, expressed as a percent
 increase or decrease, as applicable, in the amount of taxes imposed
 on the property by the taxing unit compared to the amount imposed
 for the preceding tax year; and
 (12)  for real property, state the differences,
 expressed as a percent increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
 following for the current tax year as compared to the fifth tax year
 before that tax year:
 (A)  the appraised value and taxable value of the
 property;
 (B)  the total tax rate for the taxing unit; and
 (C)  the amount of taxes imposed on the property
 by the taxing unit.
 SECTION 1.07.  Section 41.41(a), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (a)  A property owner is entitled to protest before the
 appraisal review board the following actions:
 (1)  determination of the appraised value of the
 owner's property or, in the case of land appraised as provided by
 Subchapter C, D, E, or H, Chapter 23, determination of its appraised
 or market value;
 (2)  unequal appraisal of the owner's property;
 (3)  inclusion of the owner's property on the appraisal
 records;
 (4)  denial to the property owner in whole or in part of
 a partial exemption;
 (5)  determination that the owner's land does not
 qualify for appraisal as provided by Subchapter C, D, E, or H,
 Chapter 23;
 (6)  identification of the taxing units in which the
 owner's property is taxable in the case of the appraisal district's
 appraisal roll;
 (7)  determination that the property owner is the owner
 of property;
 (8)  [a] determination that a change in use of land
 appraised under Subchapter [C, D,] E [,] or H, Chapter 23, has
 occurred; or
 (9)  any other action of the chief appraiser, appraisal
 district, or appraisal review board that applies to and adversely
 affects the property owner.
 SECTION 1.08.  Section 41.44(a), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b), (c), (c-1), and
 (c-2), to be entitled to a hearing and determination of a protest,
 the property owner initiating the protest must file a written
 notice of the protest with the appraisal review board having
 authority to hear the matter protested:
 (1)  not later than May 15 or the 30th day after the
 date that notice to the property owner was delivered to the property
 owner as provided by Section 25.19, whichever is later;
 (2)  in the case of a protest of a change in the
 appraisal records ordered as provided by Subchapter A of this
 chapter or by Chapter 25, not later than the 30th day after the date
 notice of the change is delivered to the property owner;
 (3)  in the case of a determination that a change in the
 use of land appraised under Subchapter [C, D,] E [,] or H, Chapter
 23, has occurred, not later than the 30th day after the date the
 notice of the determination is delivered to the property owner;
 (4)  in the case of a determination of eligibility for a
 refund under Section 23.1243, not later than the 30th day after the
 date the notice of the determination is delivered to the property
 owner; or
 (5)  in the case of a protest of the modification or
 denial of an application for an exemption under Section 11.35, or
 the determination of an appropriate damage assessment rating for an
 item of qualified property under that section, not later than the
 30th day after the date the property owner receives the notice
 required under Section 11.45(e).
 SECTION 1.09.  Section 60.022, Agriculture Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 60.022.  CONTENTS OF PETITION. A petition filed under
 Section 60.021 must:
 (1)  describe the boundaries of the proposed district
 by metes and bounds or by lot and block number, if there is a
 recorded map or plat and survey of the area;
 (2)  include a name for the proposed district, which
 must include the term "Agricultural Development District";
 (3)  be signed by the landowners of any land to be
 included within the proposed district and provide an acknowledgment
 consistent with Section 121.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
 that the landowners desire the land to be included in the district;
 (4)  include the names of at least five persons who are
 willing and qualified to serve as temporary directors of the
 district;
 (5)  name each county in which any agricultural
 facilities to be owned by the district are to be located;
 (6)  name each municipality in which any part of the
 district is to be located;
 (7)  state the general nature of the proposed
 development and the cost of the development as then estimated by the
 petitioners;
 (8)  state the necessity and feasibility of the
 proposed district and whether the district will serve the public
 purpose of furthering agricultural interests;
 (9)  include a pledge that the district will make
 payments in lieu of taxes to any school district and county in which
 any real property to be owned by the district is located, in [as
 follows:
 [(A)]  annual payments to each entity that are
 equal to the amount of taxes imposed on the real property by the
 entity in the year of the district's creation; and
 [(B)  a payment to each entity equal to the amount
 that would be due under Section 23.55, Tax Code, on the district's
 date of creation; and]
 (10)  include a pledge that, if the district employs
 more than 50 persons, the district will make payments in lieu of
 taxes to any school district, in addition to those made under
 Subdivision (9), in an amount negotiated between the district and
 the school district.
 SECTION 1.10.  Section 21.0421(e), Property Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 (e)  This section does not[:
 [(1)]  authorize groundwater rights appraised
 separately from the real property under this section to be
 appraised separately from real property for property tax appraisal
 purposes[; or
 [(2)  subject real property condemned for the purpose
 described by Subsection (a) to an additional tax as provided by
 Section 23.46 or 23.55, Tax Code].
 SECTION 1.11.  The following provisions of the Tax Code are
 repealed:
 (1)  Section 23.46;
 (2)  Sections 23.47(c) and (d);
 (3)  Section 23.55; and
 (4)  Sections 23.58(c) and (d).
 SECTION 1.12.  The repeal of Sections 23.46 and 23.55, Tax
 Code, by this Act does not affect an additional tax imposed as a
 result of a sale or change of use of land appraised under Subchapter
 C or D, Chapter 23, Tax Code, that occurred before the effective
 date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for
 purposes of that tax.
 ARTICLE 2. REPEAL OF ADDITIONAL TAX PROVISIONS IN SUBCHAPTER D,
 CHAPTER 23, TAX CODE
 SECTION 2.01.  Section 1.07(d), Tax Code, is amended to read
 as follows:
 (d)  A notice required by Section 11.43(q), 11.45(d),
 23.44(d), 23.46(c) or (f), 23.54(e), 23.541(c), [23.55(e),]
 23.551(a), 23.57(d), 23.76(e), 23.79(d), or 23.85(d) must be sent
 by certified mail.
 SECTION 2.02.  Section 23.20(g), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (g)  A waiver of a special appraisal of property under
 Subchapter C, [D,] E, F, or G of this chapter does not constitute a
 change of use of the property or diversion of the property to
 another use for purposes of the imposition of additional taxes
 under any of those subchapters.
 SECTION 2.03.   Section 23.52(e), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (e)  The [For the purposes of Section 23.55 of this code,
 the] chief appraiser [also] shall determine the market value of
 qualified open-space land and shall record both the market value
 and the appraised value in the appraisal records.
 SECTION 2.04.  Section 23.524(e), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) or (c), the eligibility
 of [For the purposes of this subchapter, a change of use of the]
 land subject to this section for appraisal under this subchapter is
 considered to have ended [occurred] on the day the period
 prescribed by Subsection (c) begins if the owner has not fully
 complied with the terms of the agreement described by Subsection
 (b) on the date the agreement ends.
 SECTION 2.05.  Sections 23.551(a) and (d), Tax Code, are
 amended to read as follows:
 (a)  If land appraised as provided by this subchapter is
 owned by an individual 65 years of age or older, before making a
 determination that [a change in use of] the land is no longer
 eligible for appraisal under this subchapter [has occurred], the
 chief appraiser shall deliver a written notice to the owner stating
 that the chief appraiser believes [a change in use of] the land may
 no longer be eligible for appraisal under this subchapter [have
 occurred].
 (d)  If the chief appraiser does not receive a response on or
 before the 60th day after the date the notice is mailed, the chief
 appraiser must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner and
 determine whether the land remains eligible to be appraised as
 provided by this subchapter before determining that [a change in
 use of] the land is no longer eligible for appraisal under this
 subchapter [has occurred].
 SECTION 2.06.  Section 31.01(c), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (c)  The tax bill or a separate statement accompanying the
 tax bill shall:
 (1)  identify the property subject to the tax;
 (2)  state the appraised value, assessed value, and
 taxable value of the property;
 (3)  if the property is land appraised as provided by
 Subchapter C, D, E, or H, Chapter 23, state the market value of the
 land [and the taxable value for purposes of deferred or additional
 taxation as provided by Section 23.46, 23.55, 23.76, or 23.9807, as
 applicable];
 (4)  state the assessment ratio for the taxing unit;
 (5)  state the type and amount of any partial exemption
 applicable to the property, indicating whether it applies to
 appraised or assessed value;
 (6)  state the total tax rate for the taxing unit;
 (7)  state the amount of tax due, the due date, and the
 delinquency date;
 (8)  explain the payment option and discounts provided
 by Sections 31.03 and 31.05, if available to the taxing unit's
 taxpayers, and state the date on which each of the discount periods
 provided by Section 31.05 concludes, if the discounts are
 available;
 (9)  state the rates of penalty and interest imposed
 for delinquent payment of the tax;
 (10)  include the name and telephone number of the
 assessor for the taxing unit and, if different, of the collector for
 the taxing unit;
 (11)  for real property, state for the current tax year
 and each of the preceding five tax years:
 (A)  the appraised value and taxable value of the
 property;
 (B)  the total tax rate for the taxing unit;
 (C)  the amount of taxes imposed on the property
 by the taxing unit; and
 (D)  the difference, expressed as a percent
 increase or decrease, as applicable, in the amount of taxes imposed
 on the property by the taxing unit compared to the amount imposed
 for the preceding tax year; and
 (12)  for real property, state the differences,
 expressed as a percent increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
 following for the current tax year as compared to the fifth tax year
 before that tax year:
 (A)  the appraised value and taxable value of the
 property;
 (B)  the total tax rate for the taxing unit; and
 (C)  the amount of taxes imposed on the property
 by the taxing unit.
 SECTION 2.07.  Section 41.41(a), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (a)  A property owner is entitled to protest before the
 appraisal review board the following actions:
 (1)  determination of the appraised value of the
 owner's property or, in the case of land appraised as provided by
 Subchapter C, D, E, or H, Chapter 23, determination of its appraised
 or market value;
 (2)  unequal appraisal of the owner's property;
 (3)  inclusion of the owner's property on the appraisal
 records;
 (4)  denial to the property owner in whole or in part of
 a partial exemption;
 (5)  determination that the owner's land does not
 qualify for appraisal as provided by Subchapter C, D, E, or H,
 Chapter 23;
 (6)  identification of the taxing units in which the
 owner's property is taxable in the case of the appraisal district's
 appraisal roll;
 (7)  determination that the property owner is the owner
 of property;
 (8)  [a] determination that a change in use of land
 appraised under Subchapter C, [D,] E, or H, Chapter 23, has
 occurred; or
 (9)  any other action of the chief appraiser, appraisal
 district, or appraisal review board that applies to and adversely
 affects the property owner.
 SECTION 2.08.  Section 41.44(a), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b), (c), (c-1), and
 (c-2), to be entitled to a hearing and determination of a protest,
 the property owner initiating the protest must file a written
 notice of the protest with the appraisal review board having
 authority to hear the matter protested:
 (1)  not later than May 15 or the 30th day after the
 date that notice to the property owner was delivered to the property
 owner as provided by Section 25.19, whichever is later;
 (2)  in the case of a protest of a change in the
 appraisal records ordered as provided by Subchapter A of this
 chapter or by Chapter 25, not later than the 30th day after the date
 notice of the change is delivered to the property owner;
 (3)  in the case of a determination that a change in the
 use of land appraised under Subchapter C, [D,] E, or H, Chapter 23,
 has occurred, not later than the 30th day after the date the notice
 of the determination is delivered to the property owner;
 (4)  in the case of a determination of eligibility for a
 refund under Section 23.1243, not later than the 30th day after the
 date the notice of the determination is delivered to the property
 owner; or
 (5)  in the case of a protest of the modification or
 denial of an application for an exemption under Section 11.35, or
 the determination of an appropriate damage assessment rating for an
 item of qualified property under that section, not later than the
 30th day after the date the property owner receives the notice
 required under Section 11.45(e).
 SECTION 2.09.  Section 60.022, Agriculture Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 60.022.  CONTENTS OF PETITION. A petition filed under
 Section 60.021 must:
 (1)  describe the boundaries of the proposed district
 by metes and bounds or by lot and block number, if there is a
 recorded map or plat and survey of the area;
 (2)  include a name for the proposed district, which
 must include the term "Agricultural Development District";
 (3)  be signed by the landowners of any land to be
 included within the proposed district and provide an acknowledgment
 consistent with Section 121.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
 that the landowners desire the land to be included in the district;
 (4)  include the names of at least five persons who are
 willing and qualified to serve as temporary directors of the
 district;
 (5)  name each county in which any agricultural
 facilities to be owned by the district are to be located;
 (6)  name each municipality in which any part of the
 district is to be located;
 (7)  state the general nature of the proposed
 development and the cost of the development as then estimated by the
 petitioners;
 (8)  state the necessity and feasibility of the
 proposed district and whether the district will serve the public
 purpose of furthering agricultural interests;
 (9)  include a pledge that the district will make
 payments in lieu of taxes to any school district and county in which
 any real property to be owned by the district is located, in [as
 follows:
 [(A)]  annual payments to each entity that are
 equal to the amount of taxes imposed on the real property by the
 entity in the year of the district's creation; and
 [(B)  a payment to each entity equal to the amount
 that would be due under Section 23.55, Tax Code, on the district's
 date of creation; and]
 (10)  include a pledge that, if the district employs
 more than 50 persons, the district will make payments in lieu of
 taxes to any school district, in addition to those made under
 Subdivision (9), in an amount negotiated between the district and
 the school district.
 SECTION 2.10.  Section 21.0421(e), Property Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 (e)  This section does not:
 (1)  authorize groundwater rights appraised separately
 from the real property under this section to be appraised
 separately from real property for property tax appraisal purposes;
 or
 (2)  subject real property condemned for the purpose
 described by Subsection (a) to an additional tax as provided by
 Section 23.46 [or 23.55], Tax Code.
 SECTION 2.11.  The following provisions of the Tax Code are
 repealed:
 (1)  Section 23.55; and
 (2)  Sections 23.58(c) and (d).
 SECTION 2.12.  The repeal of Section 23.55, Tax Code, by this
 Act does not affect an additional tax imposed as a result of a
 change of use of land appraised under Subchapter D, Chapter 23, Tax
 Code, that occurred before the effective date of this Act, and the
 former law is continued in effect for purposes of that tax.
 ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
 SECTION 3.01.  (a) Except as otherwise provided by this
 section, this Act takes effect January 1, 2022.
 (b)  Article 1 of this Act takes effect only if the
 constitutional amendment proposed by the 87th Legislature, Regular
 Session, 2021, repealing the provision that subjects land
 designated for agricultural use to an additional tax when the land
 is diverted to a purpose other than agricultural use or sold is
 approved by the voters. If that amendment is not approved by the
 voters, Article 1 of this Act has no effect.
 (c)  Article 2 of this Act takes effect only if Article 1 of
 this Act does not take effect. If Article 1 of this Act takes
 effect, Article 2 of this Act has no effect.