BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 31

By: Bonnen, Dennis

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties note that the legislature has increased the state sales tax rate several times since its adoption.  C.S.H.B. 31 seeks to decrease the state sales tax rate.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 31 amends the Tax Code to decrease the state sales and use tax rate from 6.25 percent to 5.95 percent of the sales price of the taxable item sold.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

October 1, 2015.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 31 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Section 151.051(b), Tax Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  The sales tax rate is 6.24 [6-1/4] percent of the sales price of the taxable item sold.

SECTION 1.  Section 151.051(b), Tax Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  The sales tax rate is 5.95 [6-1/4] percent of the sales price of the taxable item sold.

SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act does not affect tax liability accruing before the effective date of this Act.  That liability continues in effect as if the Act had not been enacted, and the former law is continued in effect for the collection of taxes due and for civil and criminal enforcement of the liability for those taxes.

SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act does not affect tax liability accruing before the effective date of this Act.  That liability continues in effect as if this Act had not been enacted, and the former law is continued in effect for the collection of taxes due and for civil and criminal enforcement of the liability for those taxes.

SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect October 1, 2015.

 

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.