85R1316 SMH-D
 
  By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 1908
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the selection of an arbitrator for purposes of an appeal
  through binding arbitration of certain appraisal review board
  orders.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 41A.07, Tax Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  If the property owner proposes an arbitrator, the
  appraisal district may not reject the arbitrator unless the
  appraisal district files a complaint with the comptroller objecting
  to the appointment of the arbitrator on the ground that the
  arbitrator is not qualified to serve as an arbitrator under this
  chapter. The comptroller shall investigate the complaint. Not
  later than the seventh day after the date the appraisal district
  files the complaint, the comptroller shall determine whether the
  arbitrator is qualified to serve as an arbitrator under this
  chapter. If the comptroller determines that the arbitrator is
  qualified to serve as an arbitrator under this chapter, the
  comptroller shall dismiss the complaint and the appraisal district
  shall agree to the selection of the arbitrator proposed by the
  property owner. If the comptroller determines that the arbitrator
  is not qualified to serve as an arbitrator under this chapter, the
  comptroller shall remove the arbitrator from the registry and the
  parties shall attempt to select a different arbitrator from the
  registry. The deadline for providing the notice described by
  Subsection (b) is extended by the number of days required for the
  comptroller to investigate and take action on a complaint filed
  under this subsection. This subsection applies to a second
  arbitrator proposed by the property owner in the same manner in
  which it applies to the arbitrator initially proposed by the
  property owner. The appraisal district may reject any subsequent
  arbitrator proposed by the property owner without filing a
  complaint with the comptroller.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies only to an appeal through
  binding arbitration under Chapter 41A, Tax Code, that is requested
  on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.