Tex. Tax Code Section 6.15
Ex Parte Communications; Penalty


(a)

A member of the board of directors of an appraisal district commits an offense if the member directly or indirectly communicates with the chief appraiser on any matter relating to the appraisal of property by the appraisal district, except in:

(1)

an open meeting of the appraisal district board of directors or another public forum; or

(2)

a closed meeting of the board of directors held to consult with the board’s attorney about pending litigation, at which the chief appraiser’s presence is necessary for full communication between the board and the board’s attorney.

(b)

A chief appraiser commits an offense if the chief appraiser directly or indirectly communicates with a member of the board of directors of the appraisal district on any matter relating to the appraisal of property by the appraisal district, except in:

(1)

an open meeting of the board of directors or another public forum; or

(2)

a closed meeting of the board of directors held to consult with the board’s attorney about pending litigation, at which the chief appraiser’s presence is necessary for full communication between the board and the board’s attorney.

(c)

Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a routine communication between the chief appraiser and the county assessor-collector that relates to the administration of an appraisal roll, including a communication made in connection with the certification, correction, or collection of an account, regardless of whether the county assessor-collector was appointed to the board of directors of the appraisal district or serves as a nonvoting director.

(c-1)

Subsections (a) and (b) do not prohibit a member of the board of directors of an appraisal district from transmitting to the chief appraiser without comment a complaint by a property owner or taxing unit about the appraisal of a specific property, provided that the transmission is in writing.

(d)

An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 208 (H.B. 402), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 944 (S.B. 2), Sec. 18, eff. January 1, 2020.

Source: Section 6.15 — Ex Parte Communications; Penalty, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/TX/htm/TX.­6.­htm#6.­15 (accessed Apr. 29, 2024).

6.01
Appraisal Districts Established
6.02
District Boundaries
6.03
Board of Directors
6.04
Organization, Meetings, and Compensation
6.05
Appraisal Office
6.06
Appraisal District Budget and Financing
6.07
Taxing Unit Boundaries
6.08
Notice of Optional Exemptions
6.09
Designation of District Depository
6.10
Disapproval of Board Actions
6.11
Purchasing and Contracting Authority
6.12
Agricultural Appraisal Advisory Board
6.13
District Records
6.14
Information Provided to Texas Legislative Council
6.15
Ex Parte Communications
6.16
Residential Property Owner Assistance
6.21
County Assessor-collector
6.22
Assessor and Collector for Other Taxing Units
6.23
Duties of Assessor and Collector
6.24
Contracts for Assessment and Collection
6.26
Election to Consolidate Assessing and Collecting Functions
6.27
Compensation for Assessment and Collection
6.28
Bonds for State and County Taxes
6.29
Bonds for Other Taxes
6.30
Attorneys Representing Taxing Units
6.031
Changes in Board Membership or Selection
6.032
Ballot Procedures for Elected Directors
6.033
Recall of Director
6.034
Optional Staggered Terms for Board of Directors
6.035
Restrictions on Eligibility and Conduct of Board Members and Chief Appraisers and Their Relatives
6.036
Interest in Certain Contracts Prohibited
6.037
Participation of Conservation and Reclamation Districts in Appraisal District Matters
6.41
Appraisal Review Board
6.42
Organization, Meetings and Compensation
6.43
Personnel
6.051
Ownership or Lease of Real Property
6.052
Taxpayer Liaison Officer
6.053
Assistance to Emergency Management Authorities
6.054
Restriction on Employment by Appraisal District
6.061
Changes in Method of Financing
6.062
Publication of Budget
6.063
Financial Audit
6.155
Certain Communications by Taxing Units Prohibited
6.231
Continuing Education
6.275
Release of Assessor and Collector from Liability
6.0301
Board of Directors in Populous Counties
6.411
Ex Parte Communications
6.412
Restrictions on Eligibility of Board Members
6.413
Interest in Certain Contracts Prohibited
6.414
Auxiliary Appraisal Review Board Members
6.425
Special Appraisal Review Board Panels in Certain Districts
6.0501
Appointment of Eligible Chief Appraiser by Comptroller

Accessed:
Apr. 29, 2024

§ 6.15’s source at texas​.gov