bill creates textbook sales tax holidays in January and August

The text as introduced · 469 words

89R5714 SRA-D

By: Eckhardt
S.B. No. 709

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to exempting textbooks purchased, used, or consumed by

university and college students from sales and use taxes 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 151.3211 to read as follows:

Sec. 151.3211. TEXTBOOKS PURCHASED, USED, OR CONSUMED BY

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR LIMITED PERIODS. (a) In this

section, "institution of higher education" and "recognized

accrediting agency" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003,

Education Code.

(b) 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 or a private

or independent college or university that is located in this state

and that is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency; 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

(c).

(c) 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 (b) is likely to be purchased, as determined by the

comptroller based on a review of the academic calendars of

institutions of higher education and colleges and universities

described by Subsection (b)(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.

(d) 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, 2025, 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, 2025.