Texas House Bill HJR94

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of food or food products held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.

Impact

If passed, HJR94 would result in changes to Article VIII of the Texas Constitution by adding Section 1-q, enabling the legislature to define the terms and additional eligibility requirements of the tax exemption. This could lead to significant reductions in tax liabilities for retail food sellers, potentially lowering the prices of food products for consumers and stimulating food sales. The bill's provisions would also grant the legislature considerable authority to adjust the tax landscape regarding essential goods sold at retail, thus influencing both state revenue streams and consumer behavior.

Summary

HJR94 is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to empower the Texas legislature to exempt tangible personal property, specifically food and food products, from ad valorem taxation when held by the owner for sale at retail. This amendment aims to provide flexibility in tax legislation by allowing exemptions that may support retailers and enhance consumer access to essential goods. By enacting this measure, the bill intends to alleviate the tax burden on retailers, which could have a positive impact on pricing for consumers purchasing food items.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention regarding HJR94, particularly around the implications of granting the legislature such authority over tax exemptions. Critics might argue that while the intent is to support the retail sector and consumers, the potential for misuse or overly broad definitions of eligibility could lead to unintended consequences, including impacts on state revenue and inequities in tax burdens among different categories of businesses. Furthermore, discussions could arise over how these exemptions would align with existing tax policies and the overall approach to taxation within the state.