AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to experts, water conservation is the least expensive way to ensure an adequate water supply. Water-efficient products save consumers money and reduce consumption rates for the state's valuable water resources, which are made ever more valuable due to ongoing drought conditions.
There is currently an annual sales tax holiday for energy-efficient products intended to encourage consumers to replace inefficient home appliances and reduce energy consumption, but water-efficient products are not included in the holiday.
S.B. 1356 seeks to encourage consumers to replace water-inefficient products and implement water saving technologies within their homes.
S.B. 1356 amends current law relating to exemption from the sales tax for certain water-efficient products for a limited period.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 151, Tax Code, by adding Section 151.3335, as follows:
Sec. 151.3335. WATER-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS. (a) Defines “water-conserving product” and ‘WaterSense product.”
(b) Exempts the sale of a water-conserving product or WaterSense product from the taxes imposed by this chapter if the sale takes place during the period described by Section 151.333(c) (relating to the sale of energy-efficient products during a certain time period).
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act takes effect July 1, 2015, if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. Provides that this Act takes effect October 1, 2015, if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for effect on that date.