Senator Nelson Files Appraisal Reform Bill

Senator Jane Nelson filed SB 669 reforming the property tax appraisal process.

“This legislation will strengthen the rights of taxpayers and make the appraisal process fair, accountable and more transparent,” Senator Nelson said.

SB 669 amends the Tax Code to:

• Increase education requirements for Appraisal Review Board (ARB) members and arbitrators and requires the Comptroller to establish and supervise a training program for arbitrators;
• Provide additional ways for taxpayers to provide feedback of their experience with the ARB;
• Establish term limits for ARB members in larger counties;
• Allow ARB members to choose the chairman instead of the appraisal district board of directors;
• Require appraisal districts provide taxpayers any evidence to be used at a hearing and prohibit its use if not delivered to the taxpayer;
• Prohibit ARBs from raising a property's appraised value above the amount in the notification and require that protest hearing orders be issued within 15 days; and
• Allow taxpayers' agents to postpone a hearing if appraisal districts fail to comply with law, require related hearings be held consecutively, and require ARBs provide its recommended value to taxpayers at the end of a hearing.