Relating to the electronic payment of ad valorem taxes; authorizing a fee.
SB 1531 would allow Texas property owners to pay ad valorem (property) taxes electronically using credit cards, debit cards, or electronic checks. County collectors could charge a processing fee of up to 5% of the tax amount, which must be reasonably related to their costs and paid in addition to the tax itself. The bill requires counties to display online payment options on their websites and establish procedures for electronic payments. This change directly affects property owners who choose electronic payment methods and county tax collectors who would implement these systems.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025
Last action May 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
5 edits
·
Apr 30, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas tax law to modernize electronic payment options for property taxes, clarifying that electronic payments include credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks while removing references to electronic funds transfers. It also refines fee structures for processing these payments and updates penalty waiver procedures for taxpayers who attempt electronic payments.
Scope change
The bill narrows the definition of acceptable electronic payment methods from multiple options to primarily credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks, while removing electronic funds transfer as a standard option.
DEFINITION
Changed the definition of 'electronic payment' to specify credit card, debit card, or electronic check, removing electronic funds transfer and automated clearinghouse payment from the list.
REQUIREMENT
Updated collector requirements to accept electronic payments in the manner provided by Section 31.062, which now lists specific payment methods.
Added clarification that taxes are payable only as provided by the section, except where Section 31.061 applies.
ENFORCEMENT
Modified the penalty waiver provisions to reference electronic payment under Section 31.062 rather than electronic funds transfer, aligning with the updated payment definitions.
TECHNICAL
Removed references to automated clearinghouse payment and electronic funds transfer throughout the bill text to align with updated payment methods.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
39
Key actions
13
Committee
12
Amendments
3
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
May 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means
lower
May 1, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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