84R11742 GRM-D
 
  By: West S.B. No. 1275
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a sales and use tax exemption for taxable items used to
  make certain home improvements for certain disabled veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 151, Tax Code, is amended
  by adding Section 151.364 to read as follows:
         Sec. 151.364.  HOME IMPROVEMENT PURCHASES BY CERTAIN
  DISABLED VETERANS. (a) In this section, "home improvement item" 
  means a taxable item used to modify an existing structure used as a
  residence by a person described by Subsection (b) to make the
  structure accessible to the person.  The term includes:
               (1)  an item used to make the entrance to the structure
  accessible;
               (2)  an accessible bathroom fixture;
               (3)  an accessible kitchen fixture;
               (4)  an item used to make an accessible path, ramp, or
  driveway; and
               (5)  an item used to make an electrical or plumbing
  improvement to accommodate medical equipment.
         (b)  A home improvement item is exempted from the taxes
  imposed by this chapter if the item is sold, leased, or rented to,
  or stored, used, or consumed by a person who:
               (1)  is a resident of this state;
               (2)  enlisted in any branch of the armed forces of the
  United States, including the Texas National Guard, and has been
  honorably discharged; and
               (3)  has been certified by the United States Department
  of Veterans Affairs or its successor to be in receipt of disability
  compensation at the 100 percent rate as a result of a permanent
  disability that:
                     (A)  was sustained through military action or
  accident; or
                     (B)  resulted from disease contracted while in
  active service.
         (c)  The comptroller may adopt rules to implement this
  section.
         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 September 1, 2015.