The bill would amend Section 154.021(b) of the Tax Code, relating to the cigarette tax, and Section 155.0211(b) of the Tax Code, relating to the tobacco products tax.

The bill would increase the cigarette tax rate from $20.50 to $70.50 per thousand for cigarettes weighing three pounds or less per thousand, the equivalent of raising the tax by $1.00 per pack of twenty cigarettes. The bill would increase the cigarette tax rate to $72.60 per thousand for cigarettes weighing more than three pounds per thousand. Cigarette tax revenue generated by the rate increase would be allocated to the General Revenue Fund.

The bill would increase the tax rate for tobacco products other than cigars from 35.213 percent to 40 percent of the manufacturer's list price, exclusive of any trade discount, special discount, or deal. Tobacco products tax revenue generated by the rate increases would be allocated to the General Revenue Fund.

This bill would take effect September 1, 2006.

The estimates are based on analysis provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

The Comptroller reports that the proposed tax rate increases would have a negative effect on the taxable consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products in Texas. Potential revenue collections were adjusted for consumption and tax avoidance effects and for collection lags.

The Comptroller's analysis assumes that allocations to General Revenue would begin when the new tax revenue reached the State Treasury, which would be approximately one month following the bill's effective date.

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.