Bill
    SB 521
    
    
        85(R) - 2017    
    
    
        Senate Finance    
    
            
            House Ways & Means        
    
    
    
    
    
    
        Senate Finance    
    
            
            House Ways & Means        
    
    
            Occupational Licensing
            Property taxes
            Taxation
    
    
    
    
     
    
        Vote Recommendation
        
            
                Yes            
            
                - 
                    Neutral                
- 
                    Neutral                
- 
                    Neutral                
- 
                    Positive                
- 
                    Neutral                
 
     
    
            Author(s)
                    Brandon Creighton
        
    
    
    
    
            Sponsor(s)
                    Drew Springer
        
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
Bill Caption
        Relating to the qualifications required of an appraisal district employee in order to testify as to the value of real property in certain ad valorem tax appeals.    
    
    
        Fiscal Notes
        No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
     
    
    
        
Bill Analysis
        Under current law, if an appraisal district employee testifies to the value of real property in an appeal, the court may give preference to the employee if they are authorized to perform an appraisal. SB 521 would prohibit an appraisal district employee from testifying as to the value of real property in an excessive or unequal appraisal appeal unless the person is a licensed appraiser.    
    
        
        
Vote Recommendation Notes
        Because this process affects the value and taxation of an individual's property, it is a sensible change to require that the individual who can testify on the value of property be someone who is an "expert" in such a field rather than just an employee of the appraisal district who may or may not have such training. For these reasons, we support SB 521.