GOVERNMENT House bill inspired by Pearland aims to allow tax worksheet recalculations
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW After irst being proposed by a member of the Texas House of Representatives or Senate, bills must go through several layers of revisions.
Bill introduced to the Legislature
BY DANIEL WEEKS
corrected before municipalities move forward with their budgeting process, forcing the city of Pearland to seek out a corrected sheet through other entities. The city eventually received a corrected worksheet from the Brazoria County tax assessor-collector. Thompson said he hopes the bill can allow cities facing any similar circumstances in the future to “cure” the problem themselves. “I’m not going to point ngers at anyone really, but it certainly wasn’t the city of Pearland’s fault that they were given some information that they relied on,” Thompson said. “We want cities to be able to provide the services that the citizens need ... within a reasonable tax rate.” The bill was rst read March 13, where it was then moved to the Ways and Means Committee, which deals in bills relating to changes to the state’s tax code or how local municipalities collect or levy taxes.
Bill begins process in House
Bill begins process in Senate
A Texas House bill led in February aims to allow municipalities to rework already-certi ed property values after Pearland sta encountered an incorrect tax worksheet that brought the city a $10.3 million de cit. State House Rep. Ed Thompson, R Pearland, on Feb. 23 led House Bill 2714. Thompson’s Chief of Sta Benjamin Williams said the bill would allow municipalities to recalculate their property tax worksheets after the rolls have been certi ed. Tax rolls give information on the value of properties. In Pearland’s situation, city sta said they received incorrectly assessed property values in a part of the city that resides in Harris County. The city discovered the incorrect value, which sta said was provided to Brazoria County by Harris County, after the values were already certi ed. The current law does not require the tax worksheets in question to be
Bill referred to committee. Vote held
Bill referred to committee. Vote held
Approved bill, possibly with changes, goes to Calendars Committee for scheduling
Approved bill, possibly with changes, brought to Senate oor for debate
Bill brought to House oor for debate
Approved bill moves to opposite chamber and begins process again
Bill may be passed to conference committees of select House and Senate members when chambers disagree on portions of their content
Bill approved by both chambers is sent to the governor
Governor signs bill into law or vetoes bill
SOURCES: TEXAS ADVOCACY PLAYBOOK, LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE LIBRARY OF TEXAS, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • APRIL 2023
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