On June 15, Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 2654 into law, clarifying that tax assessor/collectors across Texas have personal immunity for their work on PACE programs in Texas. This clarification of the Texas PACE law solidifies the intent of the underlying statute.

HB 2654 was introduced by Rep. Lynn Stucky, a freshman representative from Denton. HB 2654 is Rep. Stucky’s first bill signed into law. The bill was co-authored by Rep. Drew Darby, Rep. Ron Simmons, and Rep. Tan Parker. On the Senate side,  Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Cameron, sponsored the bill and Senator Jane Nelson, Denton, cosponsored the legislation. HB 2654 was placed on the local and consent calendars in both houses.

Bruce Elfant (Travis County), Michelle French (Denton County), Ro’Vin Garrett(Brazoria County) and many other Texas tax assessor-collectors worked hard in support of the legislation.  The effort was supported by the Texas Association of Counties, the Texas Municipal League, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Association of Manufacturers, the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, The Texas Bankers Association, The Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter the US Green Building Council Texas Chapter, and Keeping PACE in Texas, among others.

PACE is a voluntary economic development tool designed to assist commercial, industrial, and multifamily property owners in accessing long-term affordable private capital for energy and water saving improvements to property.  The program is available in 11 counties and the cities of Dallas and Houston.  Each jurisdiction is following the PACE in a Box model and selected the Texas PACE Authority to administer the program at no cost to taxpayers.

To start a PACE program in your area, contact the Texas PACE Authority today.

Keeping PACE in Texas and the Texas PACE Authority extend warm congratulations to Rep. Stucky and the Tax Assessor-Collector Association of Texas!