Houston, TX – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), Chair of the Local Government Committee, unanimously passes SB 591 to close a property tax loophole, created in 85th legislative session, that removes entire apartment complexes from the tax roles ultimately shifting the burden onto Texas taxpayers. This legislation would provide more oversight and transparency when local housing authorities enter into public facility corporation (PFC) agreements to takeover existing apartment complexes. "We cannot have thousands of entire apartment complexes wiped from the tax roles without any approval from the taxing entities that are directly affected, and this bill provides needed oversight to Affordable House Authority project to make sure their projects are approved by elected leaders who represent the public" said Senator Paul Bettencourt. This bill now heads to the Texas House.

SB 591 makes it clear that Housing Authority's must get their government body's approval before the public facilities corporation (PFC) removes property from the tax rolls.

"This is a needed step to ensure elected officials have an official approval, and that new apartment complexes are not being used as effectively a tax shelter," Bettencourt concluded.

Senator Bettencourt has passed a "Bakers Dozen", i.e. 13 Senate Bills to the House so far in this 87th Legislative session. In addition to SB591, SB237 and SB604 passed through Senate Local & Uncontested as well, and SB 1764 just passed the full Senate today and moves to the House.

Other bills passed to the House also included the following:

SB 237 would add Class B misdemeanor criminal trespass to the list of offenses that a police officer may issue a citation for, instead of arresting the offender. "SB 237 will give peace officers the discretion to handle criminal trespassing calls more effectively and more efficiently,” said Senator Bettencourt.

SB 604 prevents Municipal Management Districts from deliberately bypassing the voices of property owners who have called for a District to dissolve by continuing to issue more debt. "This bill is designed to protect the property owners and taxpayers," said Bettencourt.

SB 1764 would require the delinquent taxpayer to make payment with certified funds, such as a cashier's check or wire transfer on redemptions of property if checks are insufficient credit card charges disputed. "This bill will keep taxing entities from having to accept insufficient funds," he said.

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