86R23434 GRM-D By: Sherman, Sr., Turner of Tarrant, Burrows, H.B. No. 3823 Zerwas, Davis of Dallas, et al. Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3823: By: Wray C.S.H.B. No. 3823 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a franchise tax credit for taxable entities that provide paid family care leave. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Family First Act. SECTION 2. Chapter 171, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subchapter X to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER X. TAX CREDIT FOR PAID FAMILY CARE LEAVE Sec. 171.9281. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Employee" means an individual who performs services for an employer for compensation under an oral or written contract of hire, whether express or implied. The term does not include an independent contractor. (2) "Infant" means a child younger than one year of age. Sec. 171.9282. ENTITLEMENT TO CREDIT. A taxable entity is entitled to a credit in the amount and under the conditions provided by this subchapter against the tax imposed under this chapter. Sec. 171.9283. QUALIFICATION. A taxable entity with an average of not more than 1,500 employees during the period on which the report is based qualifies for a credit under this subchapter if the taxable entity provides paid family care leave to an employee according to a policy adopted by the taxable entity under which an employee is entitled to at least: (1) four weeks of paid leave following giving birth to an infant; (2) two weeks of paid leave following the birth of the employee's infant, if Subdivision (1) does not apply to the employee; and (3) two weeks of paid leave following the adoption of an infant by the employee or placement by the Department of Family and Protective Services of an infant in substitute care with the employee. Sec. 171.9284. AMOUNT OF CREDIT. The amount of the credit for a tax report is equal to the lesser of: (1) twice the amount of the costs attributable to providing paid family care leave described by Section 171.9283 to employees during the accounting period on which the report is based; or (2) the amount of franchise tax due for the report after applying all other applicable credits. Sec. 171.9285. APPLICATION FOR CREDIT. (a) A taxable entity must apply for a credit under this subchapter on or with the tax report for the period for which the credit is claimed. (b) The comptroller shall promulgate a form for the application for the credit. A taxable entity must use the form in applying for the credit. Sec. 171.9286. PERIOD FOR WHICH CREDIT MAY BE CLAIMED. A taxable entity may claim a credit under this subchapter for a tax report only in connection with paid family care leave provided to an employee during the accounting period on which the report is based. Sec. 171.9287. RULES. The comptroller shall adopt rules regarding the manner by which a taxable entity may demonstrate the costs attributable to providing paid family care leave for purposes of Section 171.9284. SECTION 3. This Act applies only to a tax report originally due on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect January 1, 2020.