H.B. No. 1203

AN ACT relating to the designation of a person to act as the agent of a property owner in a property tax matter. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 1.111(b) and (i), Tax Code, are amended to read as follows: (b) The designation of an agent must be made by written authorization on a form prescribed by the comptroller under Subsection (h) and signed by the owner, a property manager authorized to designate agents for the owner, or another [other] person authorized to act on behalf of the owner other than the person being designated as agent, and must clearly indicate that the person is authorized to act on behalf of the property owner in property tax matters relating to the property or the property owner. The designation may authorize the agent to represent the owner in all property tax matters or in specific property tax matters as identified in the designation. The designation does not take effect with respect to an appraisal district or a taxing unit participating in the appraisal district until a copy of the designation is filed with the appraisal district. (i) An appraisal review board shall accept and consider a motion or protest filed by an agent of a property owner if an agency authorization is filed at or before the hearing on the motion or protest. If an appraisal review board designates a time and place for appearance before a hearing, an agency authorization is considered to be filed at or before the hearing if a copy of the authorization is filed at the time and place designated by the board. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a designation of an agent that is made on or after the effective date of this Act. A designation made before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the designation was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 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, 2009.

______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate             Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1203 was passed by the House on April 22, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 1203 was passed by the Senate on May 13, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date

_____________________ Governor