What Is A House Bill 201 Evidence Request And Why You Should File One

Key Takeaways:

• Free Access To District Evidence: Texas law lets owners request the data, comps, and formulas the district plans to present at their hearing.
• The 14-Day Evidence Rule: If the protesting party timely requests information under Tax Code §41.461, requested information that is not delivered at least 14 days before the scheduled or postponed hearing generally may not be used by the appraisal district at the hearing. An exception applies to information offered to rebut evidence or argument presented by the protesting party. 
• Preparation Beats Reaction: Reviewing the packet early helps owners catch record errors, weak comps, and lopsided adjustments before facing the review board.

A House Bill 201 evidence request asks your appraisal district to hand over, free of charge, the evidence it plans to present at your protest hearing. Picture sitting down to a card game where you see your opponent’s hand first. That is the advantage this request offers. 

At Texas Tax Protest, we invest our energy in evidence. Our proprietary software sorts through millions of data records to build each client’s protest case, and we have refined that approach since 2010. 

Below, we cover what the law requires, what the packet contains, how it strengthens your position, and how to file.

The Texas Rule That Opens The Appraisal District’s Files

A long-standing Texas law allows protesting owners to see the district’s case in advance. Here’s how that rule works.

Where House Bill 201 Lives In The Tax Code

House Bill 201 is the nickname for provisions now found in Tax Code Section 41.461. Under that section, the chief appraiser must inform owners that, upon request, they may receive a copy of the data, schedules, formulas, and other information the district will present at the hearing. Homeowners and consultants still use the bill’s name, even though the language has long been part of the code.

The 14-Day Deadline Districts Must Meet

The 14-day rule has two related parts. At least 14 days before the protest hearing, the chief appraiser must provide certain required hearing information and notify the owner of the right to request the district’s evidence. If the owner or agent has already requested evidence under §41.461, information covered by that request that is not delivered at least 14 days before the scheduled or postponed hearing generally cannot be used by the appraisal district at the hearing. 

Who Can Make The Request

The property owner can submit it, and so can a designated agent the owner has appointed to handle the protest. Cost is never a barrier, since districts may not charge for the copies, whether they arrive on paper or electronically.

Why It Matters Most At A Formal Hearing

Many protests settle during an informal meeting with a district appraiser. When they don’t, the case moves to a formal hearing before the Appraisal Review Board, a panel that weighs evidence from both sides. Walking into that room already familiar with the district’s comparables and adjustments lets you prepare answers rather than react on the spot.

What The District Sends Back To You

Packets vary by county, but most share the same core pieces. Here’s what typically comes back after you file.

An appraisal district evidence packet usually includes several of the following:

• Sales Comparables: Recently sold homes that the district believes support your market value, often listed with sale dates and adjusted figures.
• Equity Comparables: Similar nearby properties and their appraised values are used to argue that your assessment is in line with neighbors.
• Adjustment Grids: Dollar amounts added or subtracted for size, age, condition, lot, and features when comparing each comp to your home.
• Valuation Schedules: The cost tables, land tables, and formulas behind your neighborhood’s mass appraisal values.
• Property Record Card: The district’s file on your home, including square footage, year built, quality class, and listed improvements.

How Reviewing CAD Evidence Before Your Hearing Helps You Prepare 

Two weeks with the district’s file can change how a hearing plays out. These are the advantages owners gain.

Catching Errors In Your Property Record

Districts value thousands of homes through mass appraisal models, so mistakes slip through. A listing with an extra 200 square feet, a pool that was removed years ago, or a “good” condition rating on a house needing foundation work can all inflate value. Reviewing CAD evidence before hearing day leaves time to gather photos, surveys, or repair bids that correct the record.

Questioning The District’s Comparable Choices

Not every comp the district picks belongs in your case. Watch for sales from a different subdivision, homes with newer construction, or properties that sold well after January 1. Understanding what separates strong comparable sales from weak ones helps you flag poor matches and offer better ones.

Testing Each Adjustment Line By Line

Adjustment grids deserve careful review because relatively small assumptions can materially affect an indicated value. Look at how the appraisal district accounts for differences in living area, quality, condition, age, lot characteristics, pools, garages, and other features.

The key question is whether the adjustment is supported by market evidence and consistently applied. For example, the contributory value of additional living area or a pool is not necessarily equal to its construction cost or the property’s overall sale price per square foot. If the district’s adjustment appears unsupported, identify market evidence or other relevant information that supports a different treatment.

Keeping Late Evidence Out Of The Hearing

Under Tax Code §41.67(d), information previously requested by the protesting party under §41.461 that was not delivered at least 14 days before the scheduled or postponed hearing generally may not be used or offered by the appraisal district in any form at the hearing—including through documents, testimony, or argument. However, the statute allows an exception for information used to rebut evidence or argument presented by the property owner or the owner’s designated agent. 

Filing The Request And Putting The Packet To Work

A well-timed request costs nothing but a few minutes. Here’s how to submit it and use what arrives.

Timing Your Request

Submit your HB 201 request with your notice of protest or soon after, since the 14-day clock counts backward from your hearing date. Most residential protests are due by May 15 or 30 days after the appraisal notice is delivered, whichever is later. Waiting until a week before the hearing leaves little room to review anything that arrives.

Where To Submit It

Many appraisal districts accept requests through their online protest portals or via a checkbox on their protest forms. A short written House Bill 201 evidence request also works, as long as it includes your account number, property address, and the information you are requesting.

Pairing The Packet With Your Own Evidence

The district’s file shows one side of the argument. Your side might include closing documents, an independent appraisal, contractor bids, or photos of damage. Homeowners often ask, “What evidence do I need to protest property taxes?” The answer becomes clearer once you see which points the district’s file leaves open.

Where Texas Tax Protest Fits In

Tracking deadlines, reading adjustment grids, and preparing a rebuttal take time that many homeowners don’t have. When you sign up with Texas Tax Protest, our team collects evidence, manages the paperwork, and advocates on your behalf at the appraisal district each year. Our Texas-based professionals keep communication clear, so you always know where your protest stands.

Final Thoughts

The district builds its case long before your hearing. Requesting its evidence gives you the same head start, with two weeks to question every comp, adjustment, and record detail.

At Texas Tax Protest, we handle residential and commercial protests across Texas, pairing proprietary research technology with Texas-based professionals who understand local appraisal practices.

Our mission has stayed the same since 2010: keep your money where it belongs. Sign up whenever you’re ready, and let our team carry the evidence work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About House Bill 201 Evidence Request

Does requesting district evidence change my hearing date?

No. The request runs alongside your protest, and the district schedules your hearing on its usual timeline.

Can commercial property owners request district evidence too?

Yes. Owners of commercial, residential, and other property types can request the district’s evidence when protesting a valuation.

Should I request evidence every year I protest?

Yes. Comparables, schedules, and adjustments change annually, so last year’s packet won’t reflect the district’s current case.

Is the request useful if I settle for the informal meeting?

Its biggest value comes at the formal hearing, though reviewing it early can also strengthen informal negotiations.

Which counties does Texas Tax Protest serve?

We represent property owners across most Texas counties, with offices in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

Will I speak with a real person at Texas Tax Protest?

Yes. Our support team is based in Texas, so you talk with local professionals instead of an offshore call center.

How can current clients follow their protest?

Current clients can sign in through the Texas Tax Protest client portal, linked at the top of our website.