84R10496 BEF-D By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.B. No. 32 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to decreasing the rates of the franchise tax. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 171.002(a) and (b), Tax Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) Subject to Sections 171.003 and 171.1016 and except as provided by Subsection (b), the rate of the franchise tax is 0.95 [one] percent of taxable margin. (b) Subject to Sections 171.003 and 171.1016, the rate of the franchise tax is 0.475 [0.5] percent of taxable margin for those taxable entities primarily engaged in retail or wholesale trade. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a report originally due on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.