TO:	Honorable Morgan Meyer, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4980 by Noble (Relating to the appeal of certain ad valorem tax determinations through binding arbitration.), As Introduced

The bill would amend Chapter 41A of the Tax Code, relating to Appeal Through Binding Arbitration, to require that an appeal for arbitration must be filed with the comptroller and that the property owner and the appraisal district provide the comptroller the information needed to process the request to appoint an arbitrator. 

The bill would provide that if the request for binding arbitration is filed through an electronic system, the property owner must pay the arbitration deposit through the electronic system. Otherwise, the property owner must pay the arbitration deposit by check or money order made payable to the comptroller or by another form of payment acceptable to the comptroller.

The bill would provide that a property owner may designate an agent to represent the owner in an arbitration proceeding on a signed form prescribed by the comptroller, and that the property owner may assign the right to receive a refund of an arbitration deposit to an agent or entity on a comptroller prescribed form.

The bill would provide that an arbitration award or settlement reached between the parties to an arbitration is a final determination of an appeal.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.