85R880 TJB-D
By: Hernandez H.B. No. 242
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to exempting textbooks purchased, used, or consumed by
university and college students from the sales and use tax for
limited periods.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 151, Tax Code, is amended
by adding Section 151.3212 to read as follows:
Sec. 151.3212. TEXTBOOKS PURCHASED, USED, OR CONSUMED BY
UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR LIMITED PERIODS. (a) The
sale, use, or consumption of a book written, designed, and produced
for educational, instructional, or pedagogical purposes is
exempted from the taxes imposed by this chapter if:
(1) the book is purchased by a full-time or part-time
student enrolled at an institution of higher education as defined
by Section 61.003, Education Code, or a private or independent
college or university that is located in this state and that is
accredited by a recognized accrediting agency as defined by Section
61.003, Education Code; and
(2) the purchase takes place at or after 12:01 a.m. on
the first day, but at or before 11:59 p.m. on the last day, of an
exemption period designated by the comptroller under Subsection
(b).
(b) The comptroller shall designate seven consecutive days
in January and seven consecutive days in August of each year during
which the exemption authorized by this section is effective. The
comptroller shall designate each exemption period for the time in
the relevant month when the greatest number of books described by
Subsection (a) is likely to be purchased, as determined by the
comptroller based on a review of the academic calendars of the
institutions of higher education, colleges, and universities
described by Subsection (a)(1). The comptroller shall designate the
exemption period in a manner and at a time that provides reasonable
notice of the exemption period to retailers and the public.
(c) A person may establish that the person is a full-time or
part-time student by presenting a valid student identification
card. The comptroller by rule shall prescribe the manner by which a
person making an online purchase may electronically establish that
the person is a full-time or part-time student.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act does not
affect taxes imposed before the effective date of this Act, and the
law in effect before the effective date of this Act is continued in
effect for purposes of the liability for and collection of those
taxes.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2017, if it
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for effect on that
date, this Act takes effect October 1, 2017.