By: Muñoz, Jr. H.B. No. 49 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the collection of delinquent ad valorem taxes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Tax Code, is amended by adding Section 31.074 to read as follows: Sec. 31.074. APPLICATION OF TAX PAYMENTS. The collector of a taxing unit shall apply a payment made by a property owner to the amount of tax due before applying any portion of the payment to a penalty or interest owed by the property owner, unless the property owner provides written instructions for a different application of the payment. SECTION 2. Section 33.01, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows: (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total amount of penalties and interest on a delinquent tax that a person is liable for may not exceed $500, regardless of the actual amount of the penalties incurred or interest accrued on the delinquent tax as otherwise calculated under law. SECTION 3. Section 31.074, Tax Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a payment received on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.