Bill Text: TX HB3978 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a credit against the ad valorem taxes imposed on property on which certain solar energy devices have been installed.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-29 - Referred to Ways & Means [HB3978 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB3978-Introduced.html
  87R12443 CJC-D
 
  By: Crockett H.B. No. 3978
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a credit against the ad valorem taxes imposed on
  property on which certain solar energy devices have been installed.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 31, Tax Code, is amended by adding
  Section 31.039 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.039.  TAX CREDIT FOR SOLAR ENERGY DEVICE ACQUISITION
  AND INSTALLATION COSTS. (a) In this section, "solar energy device"
  has the meaning assigned by Section 11.27.
         (b)  A person who owns real property and installs a solar
  energy device on the property is entitled to a credit against the
  taxes imposed on the property by each taxing unit that taxes the
  property.
         (c)  The amount of the credit to which a property owner is
  entitled under this section against the taxes imposed in a tax year
  on the property by a taxing unit is computed by:
               (1)  dividing the amount of taxes imposed on the
  property by the taxing unit by the total amount of taxes imposed on
  the property by all of the taxing units that tax the property; and
               (2)  multiplying the amount determined under
  Subdivision (1) by the lesser of the following amounts:
                     (A)  an amount equal to one-sixth of the total
  cost incurred by the property owner in acquiring the solar energy
  device and installing the device on the property; or
                     (B)  $2,500.
         (d)  A property owner may receive a credit under this section
  against the taxes imposed on the property by a taxing unit until the
  first tax year after the sixth tax year in which the property owner
  receives the credit.
         (e)  To receive a credit under this section, a property owner
  must file an application with the chief appraiser of the appraisal
  district in which the property is located. The application must
  include the total cost incurred by the property owner in acquiring
  and installing the solar energy device.
         (f)  The chief appraiser shall forward a copy of the
  application to the assessor for each taxing unit that taxes the
  property. The assessors for the taxing units shall consult with one
  another as necessary to compute the amount of the credit to be
  granted by each taxing unit.
         (g)  A credit provided by this section, once allowed, need
  not be claimed in subsequent years and applies to the property
  regardless of any subsequent change in ownership of the property.
         (h)  The comptroller shall adopt rules for the
  administration of this section, including rules prescribing the
  form of an application for the credit.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed
  for a tax year beginning on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2022, but only
  if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 87th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2021, to authorize the legislature to provide for
  a credit against the ad valorem taxes imposed on property on which a
  solar energy device has been installed based on the cost of
  acquiring and installing the device is approved by the voters. If
  that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no
  effect.
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