Texas House Bill HB3900

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/09

Caption

Relating to the taxation of motor fuels.

Impact

The impact of HB3900 is significant as it modifies existing laws to tighten tax collection mechanisms on motor fuels and to enforce compliance among distributors and suppliers. Specifically, it outlines the responsibilities of licensed suppliers in collecting taxes at the time of sale, and includes provisions for penalties related to wrongful tax-free sales. These changes aim to ensure that tax revenues from motor fuels are accurately collected and reported, potentially increasing state revenue.

Summary

House Bill 3900 addresses various aspects of the taxation of motor fuels in Texas, amending several sections of the Tax Code to clarify tax obligations, refund procedures, and regulations concerning motor fuel transactions. The bill introduces new definitions related to motor fuels, regulations for suppliers, distributors, and users of dyed diesel fuel, and the associated tax liabilities based on the transactions involving motor fuels such as gasoline and diesel.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill focus on the requirements imposed on fuel distributors and suppliers, particularly regarding the documentation for tax exemptions and the penalties for violations. Opponents of the bill may argue that the added compliance requirements could hurt small suppliers by increasing their operational burdens. Furthermore, there may be concerns about the implications of stricter penalties for late tax payments or inaccuracies in reporting, which may disproportionately impact smaller entities that lack the resources to navigate complex regulatory requirements.