88R7540 MLH-F By: Springer S.B. No. 1800 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the deadline for certain officials of an appraisal district to take certain actions. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 11.45, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine separately each applicant's right to an exemption. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant first qualifies for the exemption or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to the exemption, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and allow the exemption; (2) modify the exemption applied for and allow the exemption as modified; (3) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the applicant in support of the claim; or (4) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant first qualifies for the exemption or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to the exemption, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the applicant first qualifies for the exemption or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to the exemption, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from an applicant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the applicant specifying the additional information the applicant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the applicant's right to the exemption. The applicant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the applicant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing the information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 2. Section 23.44, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine individually each claimant's right to the agricultural designation. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for the agricultural designation or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to the agricultural designation, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and designate the land for agricultural use; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the claimant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for the agricultural designation or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to the agricultural designation, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for the agricultural designation or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to the agricultural designation, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from a claimant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the claimant specifying the additional information the claimant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the claimant's [applicant's] right to the agricultural designation. The claimant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the claimant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing additional information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 3. Section 23.57, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine separately each applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and allow appraisal under this subchapter; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the applicant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from an applicant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the applicant specifying the additional information the applicant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. The applicant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the applicant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing the information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 4. Section 23.79, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine separately each applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and allow appraisal under this subchapter; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the applicant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from an applicant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the applicant specifying the additional information the applicant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. The applicant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the applicant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing the information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 5. Section 23.85, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine individually each claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and allow appraisal under this subchapter; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the claimant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from a claimant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the claimant specifying the additional information the claimant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter. The claimant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the claimant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing additional information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 6. Section 23.95, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine individually each claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant]: (1) approve the application and allow appraisal under this subchapter; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the claimant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the claimant is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the claimant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from a claimant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the claimant specifying the additional information the claimant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the claimant's right to appraisal under this subchapter. The claimant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or before April 15, whichever is earlier, or the claimant's application is denied. However, for good cause shown the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing additional information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 7. Section 23.9805, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) The chief appraiser shall determine separately each applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. After considering the application and all relevant information, the chief appraiser shall within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [, as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, based on the law and facts]: (1) approve the application and allow appraisal under this subchapter; (2) disapprove the application and require [request] additional information from the applicant in support of the claim; or (3) deny the application. (a-1) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 90th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The chief appraiser of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall make the determination required under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the later of the date the applicant's land is first eligible for appraisal under this subchapter or the date the applicant provides to the chief appraiser the information necessary for the chief appraiser to determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter, as the law and facts warrant. If it is not practicable for the chief appraiser to make the determination by the 120th day, the chief appraiser shall make the determination as soon thereafter as practicable. (b) If the chief appraiser disapproves an application and requires additional information from an applicant, the chief appraiser shall, as soon as practicable but not later than the 30th day after the date the [application is filed with the] chief appraiser disapproves the application, deliver a written notice to the applicant specifying the additional information the applicant must provide to the chief appraiser before the chief appraiser can determine the applicant's right to have the applicant's land appraised under this subchapter. The applicant must furnish the information not later than the 30th day after the date of the request or the chief appraiser shall deny the applicant's application. However, for good cause shown, the chief appraiser may extend the deadline for furnishing the information by written order for a single period not to exceed 15 days. SECTION 8. Section 25.25, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsections (e-1) and (e-2) to read as follows: (e) If the chief appraiser and the property owner do not agree to the correction before the 15th day after the date the motion is filed, a party bringing a motion under Subsection (c), (c-1), or (d) is entitled on request to a hearing on and a determination of the motion by the appraisal review board. A party bringing a motion under this section must describe the error or errors that the motion is seeking to correct. The appraisal review board shall schedule a hearing on the motion within the period prescribed by Subsection (e-1) or (e-2), as applicable. [If a request for hearing is made on or after January 1 but before September 1, the appraisal review board shall schedule the hearing to be held as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12. If a request for hearing is made on or after September 1 but before January 1 of the following tax year, the appraisal review board shall schedule the hearing to be held as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the date the request for the hearing is made.] Not later than 15 days before the date of the hearing, the board shall deliver written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing to the chief appraiser, the property owner, and the presiding officer of the governing body of each taxing unit in which the property is located. The chief appraiser, the property owner, and each taxing unit are entitled to present evidence and argument at the hearing and to receive written notice of the board's determination of the motion. The property owner is entitled to elect to present the owner's evidence and argument before, after, or between the cases presented by the chief appraiser and each taxing unit. A property owner who files the motion must comply with the payment requirements of Section 25.26 or forfeit the right to a final determination of the motion. (e-1) If a request for hearing is made on or after January 1 but before September 1, the appraisal review board shall schedule the hearing to be held not later than: (1) the 90th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12, or as soon thereafter as practicable, if the appraisal district is established in a county with a population of less than one million; or (2) the 120th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12, or as soon thereafter as practicable, if the appraisal district is established in a county with a population of one million or more. (e-2) If a request for hearing is made on or after September 1 but before January 1 of the following tax year, the appraisal review board shall schedule the hearing to be held not later than: (1) the 90th day after the date the request for the hearing is made, or as soon thereafter as practicable, if the appraisal district is established in a county with a population of less than one million; or (2) the 120th day after the date the request for the hearing is made, or as soon thereafter as practicable, if the appraisal district is established in a county with a population of one million or more. SECTION 9. Section 41.45, Tax Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: (a) On the filing of a notice as required by Section 41.44, the appraisal review board shall schedule a hearing on the protest. The appraisal review board shall schedule the hearing to be held within the period prescribed by Subsection (a-1) or (a-2), as applicable [as soon as practicable but not later than the 90th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12]. If more than one protest is filed relating to the same property, the appraisal review board shall schedule a single hearing on all timely filed protests relating to the property. A hearing for a property that is owned in undivided or fractional interests, including separate interests in a mineral in place, shall be scheduled to provide for participation by all owners who have timely filed a protest. (a-1) The appraisal review board of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of less than one million shall schedule a hearing on the protest under Subsection (a) not later than the 90th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12. If it is not practicable for the board to hold the hearing by the 90th day, the board shall schedule the hearing to be held as soon thereafter as practicable. (a-2) The appraisal review board of an appraisal district established in a county with a population of one million or more shall schedule a hearing on the protest under Subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the date the board approves the appraisal records as provided by Section 41.12. If it is not practicable for the board to hold the hearing by the 120th day, the board shall schedule the hearing to be held as soon thereafter as practicable. SECTION 10. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an ad valorem tax year that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 11. This Act takes effect January 1, 2024.