Louisiana House Bill HB539

Louisiana 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/2/21
• Refer: 4/2/21
• Refer: 4/12/21

Caption

Imposes a tax on the transmission of certain money and creates a special fund for the disposition of the avails of the tax (OR +$30,000,000 SD RV See Note)

Impact

The legislation represents a significant change to state taxation policy regarding money transmission, wherein a dedicated fund for educator salaries would be established. The passage of HB 539 is expected to generate substantial revenue for the state, projected to be around $30 million annually, thereby addressing the longstanding issue of competitive salaries for public school teachers in grades K-12. This could enhance the state's ability to recruit and retain educators and potentially improve student outcomes through investments in teaching staff.

Summary

House Bill 539 imposes a 2% tax on the transmission of money into Louisiana or from Louisiana to locations outside the continental borders of the U.S. The tax is applicable to transactions conducted by licensed money transmitters, which include banks and other financial institutions. The bill mandates that the tax is to be collected at the time of transaction by the customer and remitted quarterly to the Department of Revenue. This legislation aims to create a specific revenue stream designated for teacher salary increases by establishing the Louisiana Teacher's Salary Support Fund, which will receive the proceeds from this tax.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around HB 539 has been supportive among education advocates and some legislators who see it as a positive step toward ensuring teachers receive adequate compensation. However, there are concerns from some financial institutions regarding the additional tax burden, alongside the administrative responsibilities associated with collecting and remitting the tax. The debate includes voices on both sides, emphasizing the importance of funding education against potential challenges for the financial sector.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention has been the apprehensions voiced by representatives from the banking industry regarding the implications of this new tax on their operations. Critics argue that additional taxes could deter financial transactions or increase costs for customers. Proponents of the bill counter that the economic advantages of adequately funded education through better teacher salaries outweigh these concerns. Importantly, the legislation includes provisions for the suspension of licenses for transmitters who fail to comply with tax remittance requirements, underscoring the state's commitment to enforce the new tax regulations.