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