Bill > HB151

This bill aims to increase transparency in state taxation by requiring the legislature, Texas Legislative Council, and state agencies to use clear and honest terminology when referring to state taxes. The bill defines a "regulatory tax" as any charge imposed by the state that goes beyond general revenue collection, including fees, fines, assessments, and other monetary charges. It mandates that these charges must now be explicitly labeled as "taxes" in all legislation, rules, publications, and electronic media, preventing the use of euphemistic terms like "fees" or "surcharges" that might obscure the true nature of the financial burden. The legislation requires both the legislature and state agencies to review and update existing references to ensure that state charges are correctly identified as taxes, with the goal of providing greater transparency to taxpayers about the true cost of government services and regulations. Additionally, the bill directs the state commission to review state agencies and recommend statutory revisions to align with this new approach to taxation terminology. The provisions of this bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving state entities time to prepare for and implement these new labeling requirements.

Budget and Finance

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB151