TITLE 34.PUBLIC FINANCE

Part 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Chapter 9. PROPERTY TAX ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter C. APPRAISAL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

34 TAC §9.417

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts amendments to §9.417, concerning property tax exemption for organizations engaged primarily in charitable activities, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 11088).

The amendment is adopted to amend the model exemption application form to implement House Bill 500, 78th Legislature, effective September 1, 2003, which requires the chief appraiser to keep confidential the driver's license number, personal identification number, or social security number provided on the exemption application except for disclosure to appraisal office employees who appraise property and as authorized by Tax Code §11.48(b), and to implement House Bill 2416, 78th Legislature, effective September 1, 2003, which provides exemption for an incomplete improvement for five years.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under Tax Code, §5.03, which requires the comptroller to adopt rules establishing the minimum standards for the administration and operation of an appraisal district, Tax Code, §5.07, which requires the comptroller to prescribe the contents and form for the administration of the property tax system, and Tax Code, §11.43(f), which requires the comptroller to prescribe the contents and form for each kind of property tax exemption.

The amendments implement Tax Code, Chapter 11, Subchapter B, §11.184.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 23, 2004.

TRD-200401272

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: March 14, 2004

Proposal publication date: December 12, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


Subchapter I. VALIDATION PROCEDURES

34 TAC §9.4033

The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts an amendment to §9.4033, concerning the allocation of value of certain personal property, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 19, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 11235).

This rule is being amended to provide for changes to the model forms for allocation of value resulting from several items of legislation. Senate Bill 340, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, is amending this section to implement several language changes to the model forms for allocation of value. Effective January 1, 2004, forms adopted or approved by the Comptroller of Public Accounts must contain a statement that a person could be found guilty of a misdemeanor or state jail felony under Penal Code, §37.10, if a person makes a false statement on a form as required by Tax Code, §22.24(c). This section also authorizes the comptroller to require that the person rendering property shall use the model form adopted by the Comptroller of Public Accounts or a form containing information which is in substantial compliance with the model form if approved by the comptroller. The comptroller added language to the forms explaining the change in Tax Code, §22.23(b), that on written request the chief appraiser must extend the filing deadline to May 15 of the tax year and may extend the deadline for an additional 15 days upon written request and a showing of good cause.

House Bill 2574, 76th Legislature, is the basis for amending this section to revise the allocation for ad valorem tax form to add the allocation of value of certain business aircraft used outside this state, and Senate Bill 1359, 76th Legislature, which requires the comptroller to add sworn statement language to the forms.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

This amendment is adopted under Tax Code, §5.03, which requires the comptroller to adopt rules establishing minimum standards for the administration and operation of an appraisal district, Tax Code, §5.07, which requires the comptroller to prescribe the contents of forms for the administration of the property tax system, and Tax Code, §22.24, which requires the comptroller to prescribe and approve appropriate forms for filing a rendition or report.

The amendment implements Tax Code, §§21.02, 21.021, 21.03, 21.031, 21.05, 21.055, 22.23, and 22.24.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 23, 2004.

TRD-200401271

Martin Cherry

Chief Deputy General Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Effective date: March 14, 2004

Proposal publication date: December 19, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 475-0387


Part 4. EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS

Chapter 71. CREDITABLE SERVICE

34 TAC §71.31

The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) adopts new §71.31 concerning a credit purchase option for certain waiting period service without changes to the text as published in the January 16, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 452). The text will not be republished.

The new section is necessary pursuant to House Bill 2359, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, which provides a credit purchase option for the establishment of service credit for service performed during the 90-day waiting period. The new section is needed to enable ERS to implement recent legislation in a manner consistent with trust fund plan documents.

New §71.31 establishes the credit purchase option for service performed only during the 90-day waiting period covered under §71.2. It provides eligibility requirements and the procedure to establish such service, the methodology for determining the actuarial cost to purchase and specifies that waiting period service credit must be established in one-month increments up to a maximum of three months.

ERS received no comments regarding the new section.

The new section is adopted under Texas Government Code, §815.102, which authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt rules for eligibility of membership and Texas Government Code, §813.514, which authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt rules to administer the credit purchase option, including rules that impose restrictions on the application of the statutes as necessary to cost-effectively administer the statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 19, 2004.

TRD-200401165

Paula A. Jones

General Counsel

Employees Retirement System of Texas

Effective date: March 10, 2004

Proposal publication date: January 16, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 867-7125


Chapter 77. JUDICIAL RETIREMENT

34 TAC §77.21

The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) adopts new §77.21 concerning the purchase of additional service credit for the Judicial Retirement System of Texas Plan Two (JRS-II) without changes to the text as published in the January 16, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 453). The text will not be republished.

The new section is needed pursuant to House Bill 2916, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, which promulgates a credit purchase option for the establishment of additional service credit.

New §77.21 establishes the administrative requirements for the purchase of the additional service credit in accordance with Texas Government Code, §838.108, and delineates eligibility, determination of cost, and purchase requirements.

ERS received no comments regarding the new section.

The new section is adopted under Texas Government Code, §840.002, which provides authorization for the Board of Trustees to adopt rules for the administration of the judicial retirement system and Texas Government Code, §838.108(f), which authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt rules to administer the purchase of additional service credit, including rules that impose restrictions on the application of the statutes as necessary to cost-effectively administer the statute.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 19, 2004.

TRD-200401166

Paula A. Jones

General Counsel

Employees Retirement System of Texas

Effective date: March 10, 2004

Proposal publication date: January 16, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 867-7125