Texas Register

TITLE 34 PUBLIC FINANCE
PART 1COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
CHAPTER 9PROPERTY TAX ADMINISTRATION
SUBCHAPTER KARBITRATION OF APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD DETERMINATIONS
DIVISION 1GENERAL RULES
RULE §9.4207Comptroller Processing of Request
ISSUE 01/05/2024
ACTION Proposed
Preamble Texas Admin Code Rule

(a)No defects identified. If no defects are identified by the comptroller or by the appraisal district under §9.4206(a)(2)(E) of this title, the comptroller shall notify the appraisal district and the property owner or the property owner's agent that the request for binding arbitration has been processed and provide the arbitration number assigned by the comptroller. For LBA, a copy of the notice must also be provided to the ARB.

(b)Defects identified. If the appraisal district or the comptroller identifies defects on the request for binding arbitration that affect the deposit or property eligibility, the comptroller shall review the request to determine whether it can be processed or requires a cure under subsection (d) of this section.

(c)Deposit not honored or insufficient. If a property owner using paper-based filing under §9.4204(b) of this title pays the deposit with a check that is not honored, the property owner shall submit to the comptroller a check issued and guaranteed by a banking institution (i.e., a cashier's or teller's check) or money order. If a property owner using paper-based filing under §9.4204(b) of this title pays the deposit with a check or money order that is for less than the required deposit amount under §9.4221 or §9.4241 of this title, the property owner shall submit to the comptroller a supplemental check or money order sufficient to pay the full deposit. If a property owner or the property owner's agent using the online arbitration system pays the deposit with a credit card or electronic funds transfer (eCheck) that is not honored, the property owner or the property owner's agent shall submit another electronic payment to the comptroller. Such payments must be received no later than 15 calendar days after the notice of the defect is delivered under subsection (d) of this section.

(d)Cure period. If a request for binding arbitration is defective, the comptroller shall notify the property owner or the property owner's agent of the defect, the process to file a cure for the defect, and the date the cure is due. Mailed notices are deemed delivered when deposited in the mail. If notified by email or on the online arbitration system, the notification is deemed delivered on the date the comptroller transmits the email or notice.

(e)Cure resolution. If the property owner or the property owner's agent provides documentation, payment, or information that cures the defect within 15 calendar days of the comptroller's notice, the comptroller shall process the request for binding arbitration and notify the appraisal district and property owner or the property owner's agent. For LBA, a copy of the notice must also be provided to the ARB.

(f)Failure to cure. If the property owner or the property owner's agent fails to cure any defect that the comptroller determines to be curable within 15 calendar days of the comptroller's notice, the request for binding arbitration shall not be processed any further and shall be closed, the comptroller shall notify the parties of the comptroller's action, and the comptroller shall refund the deposit pursuant to §9.4209 of this title.

(g)Processing is not certification of requirements. The comptroller's processing of a request does not certify that the request meets all statutory requirements and requests may still be dismissed by an arbitrator for lack of jurisdiction.

(h)Dispute. If there is a dispute regarding whether there is jurisdiction for an arbitration under §9.4223 or §9.4244 of this title, the request for binding arbitration shall be forwarded to the arbitrator and the arbitrator shall render a determination on jurisdiction. Arbitrators shall determine whether a request meets all statutory criteria and shall dismiss the request if it satisfies the criteria for dismissal under §9.4223 or §9.4244 of this title. Dismissal of the request may result in the loss of the requestor's deposit.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on December 21, 2023

TRD-202304939

Victoria North

General Counsel, Fiscal and Agency Affairs Legal Services

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 4, 2024

For further information, please call: (512) 475-2220



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