The House Committee on Ways & Means

86th Legislature

February 5, 2020

10:00 a.m.

E2.012

Pursuant to a notice posted on January 22, 2020, the House Committee on Ways & Means met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Burrows, at 10:09 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Burrows; Guillen; Cole; Murphy; and Noble.

Representatives Springer, Leman, Talarico and Zweiner were also present.

The committee met to hear testimony on the following interim charges:

     Charge 1.2: HB 1525 and HB 2153, which relate to the collection of  sales and use taxes by marketplaces and out-of-state businesses. Monitor the Comptroller of Public Accounts' rules regulating the collection of sales, use, and franchise tax to ensure compliance by marketplace providers and out-of-state businesses and monitor any revenue increases as a result of implementation of these bills.

     Charge 5: Review the use of third-party tax collection firms, including law firms and tax specialty firms, by governmental units. Evaluate what methods other states use to collect taxes. Determine whether the use of those firms is cost-effective for the taxing jurisdiction or if the tax collection efforts should be performed by the taxing units directly.

     Charge 6: Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.

HB 1525 and HB 2153 Implementation

(Representative Rodriguez now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

State Auditor Review

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Third-Party Tax Collection Firms

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 3:38 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Burrows, Chair

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Paige Higerd, Clerk