TTARA Committees and Working Groups

As a member of TTARA, you have the opportunity to engage in various committees and working groups tailored to your professional interests. Below is a comprehensive list of the groups available. If you’re interested in joining any group and would like to be added to the email distribution list, please follow the instructions below (TTARA Members Only.)

Login to your profile and navigate to your member compass by clicking the red "My Account" button at the top right of the screen. Once you are in your member compass, click on the "Profile" button from the left hand menu. Scroll down until you see the "Committee & Working Group Interest" section. You may select multiple committees and/or working groups that you would like to participate in. Click "Save" once you have finalized your selections. You will be automatically added to our contact list for any committees and working groups you select once you click save. This can be edited any time by logging in to your profile.

Please contact Catherine Lapoint if you need assistance at clapoint@ttara.org

PROPERTY TAX COMMITTEE

Staff Contact: Andrea Carter-Virtanen (TTARA)
Email: acarter@ttara.org
Chair: Marty Loeber (Valero)
Membership/Purpose: Open to all TTARA members interested. The Property Tax Committee is dedicated to addressing and advocating for fair and equitable property tax policies. This committee provides a platform for members to discuss and influence property tax legislation, share best practices, and stay informed about the latest developments in property tax laws and regulations. By participating, members can contribute to shaping policies that impact their businesses and communities.

Working Groups of the Property Tax Committee:

Property Tax Incentives (JETI Act & Ch. 312): This working group focuses on property tax incentives, specifically those related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation (JETI) Act and Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code. Members collaborate to evaluate the effectiveness of these incentives, propose improvements, and ensure they are implemented in a way that benefits both businesses and the community.
Property Value Study: This working group is dedicated to the Property Value Study. The group works to ensure accurate and fair valuation of properties, addressing any discrepancies and advocating for policies that reflect the true value of the properties. Members stay informed about changes in valuation methods and share insights to improve the overall property value study process.

STATE TAX COMMITTEE

Staff Contact: Eleanor Kim (TTARA)
Email: ekim@ttara.org
Chair: Khrissy Griffin (Archrock)
Membership/Purpose: Open to all TTARA members interested. The State Tax Committee is dedicated to addressing state tax policies and regulations. This committee provides a platform for members to collaborate, share insights, and advocate for fair and effective state tax legislation, implementation and administration. By participating, members can stay informed about the latest developments in state taxation, contribute to policy discussions, and help shape the tax landscape to benefit businesses and the broader community.

Working Groups of the State Tax Committee:

Digital Goods and Services: Data processing is one category of services subject to sales and use tax in Texas. The goals of the working group are to (1) respond to Comptroller rulemaking and (2) guide TTARA’s legislative strategy around the definition and taxability of data processing.
Local Sales Tax Sourcing: This group is dedicated to the complexities of local sales tax sourcing. Members work together to navigate the rules and regulations that determine how and where sales taxes are applied. The goal is to ensure clarity and fairness in tax sourcing, benefiting both businesses and local governments. The working group will help guide TTARA’s response to both Comptroller rulemaking and introduced legislation.
Oil & Gas: The Oil & Gas working group focuses on the unique tax challenges and opportunities within the oil and gas industry. This includes addressing issues related to severance taxes and other industry-specific tax matters such as taxable and non-taxable well services, wastewater treatment, compressors and turnarounds.

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

Staff Contact: Ryan Ash (TTARA)
Email: ryan@ttara.org
Chair: Jim Keffer (EBAA Iron)
Membership/Purpose: The Advocacy Committee guides and strengthens TTARA’s strategy and work at the Texas Capitol. The committee is intended for registered lobbyists who are on the ground at the Capitol during legislative sessions. The Advocacy Committee is an opportunity for TTARA members who are registered lobbyists to contribute their knowledge and expertise to advancing fair, predictable, and competitive tax policy through legislation.

Working Groups of the Advocacy Committee:

Data Center and Infrastructure (Co-Chairs - Mark Dzeda, ITC Tax and Eric Padilla, Vistra Corp.):

The TTARA Data Center & Infrastructure working group will serve as a forum for members to engage on both property tax and state tax policy issues affecting data centers and the broader digital infrastructure ecosystem in Texas. The working group will help shape TTARA’s analysis, research, and advocacy related to this rapidly growing sector.

TAX LITIGATION COMMITTEE (TLIG)

Staff Contact: Eleanor Kim (TTARA)
Email: ekim@ttara.org
Chair: David Gilliland (Balch & Bingham LLP )
Membership/Purpose: Open to all TTARA members interested. The purpose of TLIG is to provide a venue for TTARA members who are attorneys to discuss tax cases at a technical level and at length if they wish. The Tax Litigation Interest Group (TLIG) is perfect for our members who are interested in the intersection of tax law and litigation.

AMICUS BRIEF COMMITTEE

Staff Contact: Eleanor Kim (TTARA)
Email: ekim@ttara.org
Chair: Renn Neilson (Baker Botts)
Membership/Purpose: The committee is limited to 8 members on a two-year cycle. Intended for practicing attorneys engaged in litigation. If you are interested in being on the committee in the future, please let us know and we will add you to the list to be considered for the next cycle.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Staff Contact: Stefanie Alvarez (TTARA)
Email: sjpalvarez@ttara.org
Chair: Matthew K. Kuhl (Chevron)
Membership/Purpose: The committee is limited to 6 members and is on a two-year cycle. Attended for anyone passionate about growing the TTARA membership and fostering a vibrant community. If you are interested in being on the committee in the future, please let us know and we will add you to the list to be considered for the next cycle.