Texas House Bill HB3469

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the contents of a receipt for motor fuel sold at retail; providing a penalty.

Impact

The legislative change proposed by HB 3469 will directly affect retail fuel sellers who must comply with the new receipt requirements. By clearly stating tax information on receipts, retailers will be held accountable for disclosing vital tax details to consumers, potentially leading to greater awareness of fuel taxation. Furthermore, violators of this new requirement could face civil penalties of up to $500 for each month they fail to comply, underscoring the seriousness of adherence to this legislation.

Summary

House Bill 3469 aims to amend the Business & Commerce Code in Texas by establishing specific requirements for receipts issued by retailers selling motor fuel. The bill mandates that these receipts include separate line items for the federal and state motor fuel taxes applicable to the sale. By doing so, the legislation intends to enhance transparency in the taxation of motor fuels, providing consumers with a clearer understanding of their tax liabilities upon purchasing fuel at retail outlets.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment around the bill appears supportive, especially among those who advocate for increased transparency in tax matters. Proponents believe that clearly delineating tax charges on receipts empowers consumers and makes fuel pricing more comprehensible. However, there may be some concerns regarding the burden this places on retailers, particularly smaller businesses that may find compliance with additional regulations challenging.

Contention

While HB 3469 does not seem to have significant opposition, discussions may emerge about the administrational burden placed on retail businesses, especially smaller operations that might struggle to update their receipt systems. Points of contention could arise regarding whether the benefits of increased transparency outweigh the possible inconveniences and costs to the retailers in adapting to this new requirement.