The bill amends the Texas Tax Code to reform the selection and responsibilities of chief appraisers in appraisal districts. It mandates that chief appraisers be elected by county voters for a two-year term starting January 1 of each odd-numbered year, with the first elections occurring in 2026. The bill introduces a definition of "incompetency" for removal purposes, which includes failure to complete required training within a specified timeframe. Additionally, it allows the comptroller to charge a fee of up to $50 for training courses for appraisal review board members and other personnel. The bill also emphasizes the independence of appraisal review boards by restricting communication between certain officials and board members regarding training matters, and it ensures that chief appraiser compensation is not tied to property value increases.

Further amendments include the establishment of a training program for newly elected or appointed chief appraisers, covering essential topics such as ethics and financial management. The bill outlines the filing fees for candidates based on county population and sets the minimum number of signatures required for petitions related to appraisal district offices. It also clarifies the process for serving legal documents to appraisal districts and review boards, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within these entities. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the integrity of the appraisal process and provide necessary resources for appraisal review board members.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Tax Code 1.15, Tax Code 6.05, Tax Code 5.042, Tax Code 5.043, Tax Code 6.035, Tax Code 6.052, Tax Code 6.155, Tax Code 6.41, Tax Code 6.411, Tax Code 42.21, Election Code 144.001, Election Code 172.001, Election Code 172.002, Election Code 172.024, Election Code 172.025, Election Code 181.002, Election Code 181.0311, Election Code 181.032, Election Code 181.061, Local Government Code 87.041, Occupations Code 1151.164 (Tax Code 6, Election Code 144, Occupations Code 1151, Election Code 181, Local Government Code 87, Tax Code 42, Tax Code 1, Election Code 172, Tax Code 5)