78R8073 RCJ-D

By:  Smith of Tarrant                                             H.B. No. 3232


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the collection of costs incurred by a municipality in remedying substandard conditions on a property. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 342, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 342.0075 to read as follows: Sec. 342.0075. COLLECTION OF EXPENSES AND INTEREST. (a) On the request of a municipality, the person who assesses the ad valorem taxes for the municipality shall include on the ad valorem tax bill sent under Section 31.01, Tax Code, to the owner of a property a separate item for the expenses imposed by the municipality, including accrued interest, under Section 342.007. The tax bill must show the total amount due, and that amount must include the ad valorem taxes, expenses incurred, and interest accrued. (b) At the time the property owner pays the ad valorem taxes on the property to the person who collects the ad valorem taxes for the municipality, the property owner shall pay to that collector those expenses incurred and the interest accrued. (c) If the person who assesses or collects taxes for a municipality is not an officer or employee of the municipality, the municipality shall negotiate with the person a reasonable fee to be paid to the person for services performed by the person under this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and applies to the collection of an expense incurred by a municipality and the related interest accrued before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.