Price Files Major Reform Bill to Revamp Appraisal Districts

House Bill 2529 streamlines appraisal board appointments

Representative Four Price has filed major reform legislation regarding the composition and administration of appraisal districts. Price's legislation, House Bill 2529, calls for the board of directors of an appraisal district to be appointed by the local county commissioners court rather than by the multiple taxing units that each benefit from the collection of property taxes.

Under current law, taxing units appoint the directors of an appraisal district. These directors then set the appraisal district policies and hire the chief appraiser. There has been much concern that the current system provides taxing units with complete control over the appraisal system, the very system designed to value property and collect ad valorem taxes on behalf of the taxing units. The current system is criticized as the proverbial foxes guarding the hen house.

"My constituents, and taxpayers throughout the state, have been demanding meaningful appraisal reform for years. The time for rhetoric is over. It is time we act. My bill is a significant step in the right direction to reform the appraisal system," stated Price.

Price further said, "I recognize that some may argue that a county is also a taxing unit; however, what is significant about placing the appointment authority under the sole purview of the commissioners court is that in most instances it is the local governmental entity that is accountable to the largest voting population residing in a county. After all, the county judge is directly accountable to every voter in the county and each of the commissioners represents roughly a quarter of a county's population."

House Bill 2529 also increases transparency and streamlines the appointment process. The bill will likely be referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Price is hopeful that his legislative proposal will receive a timely hearing.

State Representative Price represents Carson, Moore, Potter, and Sherman counties. He is the only member from the region serving on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee.