By:  Deshotel                                                     H.B. No. 33 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an increase in the cigarette tax and to the use of that increase to purchase textbooks. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 154.021(b), Tax Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The tax rates are: (1) $33.00 [$20.50] per thousand on cigarettes weighing three pounds or less per thousand; and (2) the rate provided by Subdivision (1) plus $2.10 per thousand on cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand. SECTION 2. Section 154.603, Tax Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 154.603. DISPOSITION OF REVENUE. (a) After the deductions for the purposes provided by Section 154.602 [of this code], the revenue remaining of the first $2 of tax received per 1,000 cigarettes for cigarettes weighing three pounds or less per thousand and the first $4.10 per 1,000 cigarettes of the tax received for cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand is allocated: (1) 18.75 percent to the foundation school fund; and (2) 81.25 percent to the general revenue fund. (b) The revenue remaining after the deductions for the purposes provided by Section 154.602 [of this code] and allocation under Subsection (a) of the next $18.50 of tax received per 1,000 cigarettes for cigarettes weighing three pounds or less per thousand and the next $18.50 per 1,000 cigarettes of the tax received for cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand [this section] is allocated to the general revenue fund. (c) The revenue remaining after the deductions for the purposes provided by Section 154.602 and allocation under Subsections (a) and (b) shall be deposited as follows: (1) shall be deposited to the credit of the foundation school fund and may be appropriated only for the purpose of buying textbooks. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect November 1, 2003.