6/21/10

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Commissioners' agenda for June 30 includes an item on proposed changes to rules related to tax relief for property used for environmental protection.  The Commissioner's meeting is scheduled for 9:30 AM at 12100 Park 35 Circle Room 201S, Building E.  Agenda Item 77 of the draft agenda states:

Docket No. 2010-0512-RUL. Consideration for publication of, and hearing on, proposed amendments to Sections 17.1, 17.2, 17.4, 17.6, 17.10, 17.12, 17.14, 17.17, 17.20, and 17.25, and repeal of Section 17.15 of30 TAC Chapter 17, Tax Relief for Property Used for Environmental Protection. The proposed rulemaking would consolidate Tier III and IV applications, require Tier III applications for all property used partially for pollution control, modify the Cost Analysis Procedure, allow electronic transmittal of notices, require separate applications for non-integrated pollution control systems, facilitate prioritizing and processing applications, require certain information on applications, and allow the general counsel to remand appeals back to the executive director without formal action by the commission when the action is requested by the executive director or the public interest counsel. (Emmanuel Wada, Timothy Reidy) (Rule Project No. 2009-050-017-EN)

The ongoing developments concerning property tax exemptions for pollution control property are being followed by many school district officials because of potential future implications for funding for public education, in addition to concerns voiced about potential refunds for property tax collections for the current and prior fiscal years. 

To read the draft agenda click on the link below.

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/comm_exec/agendas/comm/current/2010/100630.pdf