HBA-LJP H.J.R. 76 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 76 By: Homer Ways & Means 4/12/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under the Texas Constitution, certain real property owners of property sold for unpaid taxes are entitled to redeem the property within two years from the date of the filing for record of the Purchaser's Deed if the property owner makes certain payments within the first year and the last year of the redemption period. Before the final process of selling real property at an ad valorem tax sale, property lies dormant on the tax rolls for multiple years and the tax obligation on the property continues to collect. As proposed, House Joint Resolution 76 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment to shorten the time periods within which certain real property owners are entitled to redeem property sold for unpaid taxes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Joint Resolution 76 amends the Texas Constitution to shorten, from two years to one year from the date of the filing for record of the Purchaser's Deed the time period that the former owner of a residence homestead or land designated for agricultural use sold for unpaid taxes is entitled to redeem the property on a specified basis. The resolution shortens, from within the first year to within the first six months of the redemption period, and shortens, from within the last year to within the last six months of the redemption period, the time periods that the former property owner is required to make payments to have a basis to redeem the property. The resolution also shortens, from six months to three months from the date of the filing for record of the Purchaser's Deed, the time period that a former owner of real property sold for unpaid taxes is entitled to redeem the property upon certain conditions. The resolution sets forth that the above provisions take effect January 1, 2002 and that temporary provisions expire on January 1, 2005. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.