Texas House bill authored by Rep. Oliverson changes chief appraiser selection and training passes House and Senate

Passed bill authored by State Rep. Tom Oliverson aims to revise the selection process and training requirements for chief appraisers in Texas appraisal districts, seeking to address eligibility, communication, and education standards following its approval in both chambers, according to the Texas Legislature website.

In the House, four Democrats and 85 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 48 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, two Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor, while five Democrats voted against it.

Tom Oliverson introduced the bill in the Texas House on Monday, Aug. 18, during the 89(2) legislative session.

Oliverson, a Republican, was elected to the Texas State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 130th House district, replacing previous state representative Allen Fletcher.

According to the Texas Legislature, the bill’s official text was summarized as follows: ‘Relating to the funding of law enforcement agencies in certain counties’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill involves major changes to the selection and training of chief appraisers in Texas appraisal districts. It specifies that chief appraisers will be elected starting in 2026, with the first term beginning January 1, 2027. It prohibits taxing units from employing individuals for property appraisals and details training requirements and associated fees. The bill stipulates ineligibility criteria for serving as a chief appraiser or board member, including conflicts of interest and tax delinquency. Communication restrictions between appraisal personnel are specified, and continuing education is mandated for appraisal review board members. The bill adjusts mechanisms for handling appraisal disputes and includes provisions for nominating and training appraisal personnel. Most provisions take effect January 1, 2027, while election-related changes begin September 1, 2025.

The bill was co-authored by Rep. Steve Toth (Republican – District 15), Rep. Will Metcalf (Republican – District 16), and Rep. Dennis Paul (Republican – District 129), along with six other authors.

The bill received its final legislative approval on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.