Bill

SB 46

84(R) - 2015
Senate Business & Commerce
Senate Business & Commerce
Property Rights
Business, Industry, & Commerce
Privacy

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Bill Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of certain property tax appraisal photographs.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 46 would make photographs taken of the interior of a property for tax appraisal purposes confidential. The committee substitute of the bill includes provisions that allow for exemptions for the use of the photographs. For instance, people may request to view the photographs of a particular property if they had an ownership interest in the improvement to the property on the date the image was taken.  Additionally, the Appraisal Review Board (ARB) and property owners may use the photographs as evidence in cases of an appraisal record review or for appeals of an ARB determination of appraisal. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/20/15 update:

The House committee did not make any changes to the Senate version of this legislation. 

House chamber sponsor: Raymond

First chamber recommendation:

SB 46 protects the privacy of property owners by making interior photos taken by a tax appraiser confidential rather than allowing those photos to be made accessible to the general public. For this reason, we support SB 46 because it increases an individual’s property rights. 

Organizations Supporting

Harris County Appraisal District
Texas Association of Appraisal Districts
Texas Association of Business
Texas Taxpayers and Research Association