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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an annual hurricane damage mitigation week. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 662, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 662.155 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 662.155. HURRICANE DAMAGE MITIGATION WEEK. (a) May 25 |
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to May 31 is hurricane damage mitigation week to encourage |
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individuals, governmental entities, business owners, and |
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commercial property owners to prepare for hurricane season. |
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(b) For each hurricane damage mitigation week, the |
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legislature requests the governor to issue a proclamation |
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encouraging: |
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(1) individuals, business owners, and commercial |
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property owners to prepare their homes, properties, and communities |
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for hurricane season; |
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(2) state agencies to review and update their |
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hurricane preparedness plans; and |
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(3) the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Division of |
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Emergency Management, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism |
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Office, the Texas Department of Insurance, counties, and |
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municipalities to focus educational and outreach efforts on |
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hurricane preparedness. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 151, Tax Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 151.356 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 151.356. HURRICANE PREPARATION SUPPLIES FOR LIMITED |
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PERIOD. (a) The sale of a hurricane preparation item is exempted |
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from the taxes imposed by this chapter if the sale takes place |
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during a period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on May 25 and ending at 12 |
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midnight on May 31. |
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(b) For purposes of this section, "hurricane preparation |
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item" means: |
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(1) a portable generator used to provide light or |
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communications or to preserve perishable food in the event of a |
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power outage, the sales price of which does not exceed $1,000; |
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(2) an item listed in this subdivision, the sales |
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price of which does not exceed $60: |
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(A) a reusable or artificial ice product; |
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(B) a portable, self-powered light source; |
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(C) a gasoline or diesel fuel container; |
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(D) a AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt, |
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or 9 volt battery, or a package containing more than one battery, |
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other than an automobile or boat battery; |
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(E) a nonelectric cooler or ice chest for food |
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storage; |
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(F) a tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof |
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sheeting; |
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(G) a ground anchor system or tie-down kit; |
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(H) a clip or hold-down device; |
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(I) a hurricane strap; |
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(J) a mobile telephone battery or battery |
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charger; |
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(K) a battery-powered or self-powered radio, |
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including a two-way radio or weatherband radio; |
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(L) a carbon monoxide detector; |
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(M) a storm shutter; or |
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(N) any material or device specifically |
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manufactured and marketed for the purpose of preventing window |
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damage; or |
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(3) an item included on a list under Subsection (c), |
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the sales price of which does not exceed $60. |
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(c) Each year, the comptroller may publish a list of |
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additional hurricane preparation items that are exempted from tax |
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under this section for that year. The list may contain only items |
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the comptroller determines, after consulting with the Texas |
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Division of Emergency Management, are necessary for hurricane |
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preparation. Not later than April 15, the comptroller shall: |
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(1) notify each permit holder under this chapter of |
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the items on the list; |
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(2) publish the list on the comptroller's Internet |
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website; and |
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(3) submit the list for publication in the Texas |
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Register. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act does not |
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affect taxes imposed before the effective date of this Act, and the |
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law in effect before the effective date of this Act is continued in |
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effect for purposes of the liability for and collection of those |
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taxes. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |