Bill Text: TX HB501 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the exemption of rural transit districts from motor fuel taxes.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-10 - Left pending in committee [HB501 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB501-Introduced.html

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84R1244 ADM-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 501

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the exemption of rural transit districts from motor
fuel taxes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 162.104(a), Tax Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(a) The tax imposed by this subchapter does not apply to
gasoline:
(1) sold to the United States for its exclusive use,
provided that the exemption does not apply with respect to fuel sold
or delivered to a person operating under a contract with the United
States;
(2) sold to a public school district in this state for
the district's exclusive use;
(3) sold to a commercial transportation company or a
metropolitan rapid transit authority operating under Chapter 451,
Transportation Code, that provides public school transportation
services to a school district under Section 34.008, Education Code,
and that uses the gasoline only to provide those services;
(4) exported by either a licensed supplier or a
licensed exporter from this state to any other state, provided
that:
(A) for gasoline in a situation described by
Subsection (d), the bill of lading indicates the destination state
and the supplier collects the destination state tax; or
(B) for gasoline in a situation described by
Subsection (e), the bill of lading indicates the destination state,
the gasoline is subsequently exported, and the exporter is licensed
in the destination state to pay that state's tax and has an
exporter's license issued under this subchapter;
(5) moved by truck or railcar between licensed
suppliers or licensed permissive suppliers and in which the
gasoline removed from the first terminal comes to rest in the second
terminal, provided that the removal from the second terminal rack
is subject to the tax imposed by this subchapter;
(6) delivered or sold into a storage facility of a
licensed aviation fuel dealer from which gasoline will be delivered
solely into the fuel supply tanks of aircraft or aircraft servicing
equipment, or sold from one licensed aviation fuel dealer to
another licensed aviation fuel dealer who will deliver the aviation
fuel exclusively into the fuel supply tanks of aircraft or aircraft
servicing equipment;
(7) exported to a foreign country if the bill of lading
indicates the foreign destination and the fuel is actually exported
to the foreign country; [or]
(8) sold to a volunteer fire department in this state
for the department's exclusive use; or
(9) sold to a rural transit district created under
Chapter 458, Transportation Code, that uses the gasoline
exclusively to provide public transportation.
SECTION 2. Sections 162.125(a) and (g), Tax Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) A license holder may take a credit on a return for the
period in which the sale occurred if the license holder paid tax on
the purchase of gasoline and subsequently resells the gasoline
without collecting the tax to:
(1) the United States government for its exclusive
use, provided that a credit is not allowed for gasoline used by a
person operating under contract with the United States;
(2) a public school district in this state for the
district's exclusive use;
(3) an exporter licensed under this subchapter if the
seller is a licensed supplier or distributor and the exporter
subsequently exports the gasoline to another state;
(4) a licensed aviation fuel dealer if the seller is a
licensed distributor; [or]
(5) a commercial transportation company or a
metropolitan rapid transit authority operating under Chapter 451,
Transportation Code, that provides public school transportation
services to a school district under Section 34.008, Education Code,
and that uses the gasoline exclusively to provide those services;
or
(6) a rural transit district created under Chapter
458, Transportation Code, that uses the gasoline exclusively to
provide public transportation.
(g) A transit company that paid tax on the purchase of
gasoline, and is not otherwise entitled to a refund of that tax
under this subchapter, may seek a refund with the comptroller in an
amount equal to one cent per gallon for gasoline used in transit
vehicles.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Tax Code, is amended
by adding Section 162.1276 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.1276. REFUND FOR CERTAIN RURAL TRANSIT DISTRICTS.
(a) A rural transit district created under Chapter 458,
Transportation Code, is entitled to a refund of taxes paid under
this subchapter for gasoline used to provide public transportation
and may file a refund claim with the comptroller for the amount of
those taxes.
(b) The refund claim under Subsection (a) must contain
information regarding:
(1) vehicle mileage;
(2) hours of service provided; and
(3) fuel consumed.
(c) A rural transit district that requests a refund under
this section shall maintain all supporting documentation relating
to the refund until the sixth anniversary of the date of the
request.
SECTION 4. Section 162.204(a), Tax Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(a) The tax imposed by this subchapter does not apply to:
(1) diesel fuel sold to the United States for its
exclusive use, provided that the exemption does not apply to diesel
fuel sold or delivered to a person operating under a contract with
the United States;
(2) diesel fuel sold to a public school district in
this state for the district's exclusive use;
(3) diesel fuel sold to a commercial transportation
company or a metropolitan rapid transit authority operating under
Chapter 451, Transportation Code, that provides public school
transportation services to a school district under Section 34.008,
Education Code, and that uses the diesel fuel only to provide those
services;
(4) diesel fuel exported by either a licensed supplier
or a licensed exporter from this state to any other state, provided
that:
(A) for diesel fuel in a situation described by
Subsection (d), the bill of lading indicates the destination state
and the supplier collects the destination state tax; or
(B) for diesel fuel in a situation described by
Subsection (e), the bill of lading indicates the destination state,
the diesel fuel is subsequently exported, and the exporter is
licensed in the destination state to pay that state's tax and has an
exporter's license issued under this subchapter;
(5) diesel fuel moved by truck or railcar between
licensed suppliers or licensed permissive suppliers and in which
the diesel fuel removed from the first terminal comes to rest in the
second terminal, provided that the removal from the second terminal
rack is subject to the tax imposed by this subchapter;
(6) diesel fuel delivered or sold into a storage
facility of a licensed aviation fuel dealer from which the diesel
fuel will be delivered solely into the fuel supply tanks of aircraft
or aircraft servicing equipment, or sold from one licensed aviation
fuel dealer to another licensed aviation fuel dealer who will
deliver the diesel fuel exclusively into the fuel supply tanks of
aircraft or aircraft servicing equipment;
(7) diesel fuel exported to a foreign country if the
bill of lading indicates the foreign destination and the fuel is
actually exported to the foreign country;
(8) dyed diesel fuel sold or delivered by a supplier to
another supplier and dyed diesel fuel sold or delivered by a
supplier or distributor into the bulk storage facility of a dyed
diesel fuel bonded user or to a purchaser who provides a signed
statement as provided by Section 162.206;
(9) the volume of water, fuel ethanol, renewable
diesel, biodiesel, or mixtures thereof that are blended together
with taxable diesel fuel when the finished product sold or used is
clearly identified on the retail pump, storage tank, and sales
invoice as a combination of diesel fuel and water, fuel ethanol,
renewable diesel, biodiesel, or mixtures thereof;
(10) dyed diesel fuel sold by a supplier or permissive
supplier to a distributor, or by a distributor to another
distributor;
(11) dyed diesel fuel delivered by a license holder
into the fuel supply tanks of railway engines, motorboats, or
refrigeration units or other stationary equipment powered by a
separate motor from a separate fuel supply tank;
(12) dyed kerosene when delivered by a supplier,
distributor, or importer into a storage facility at a retail
business from which all deliveries are exclusively for heating,
cooking, lighting, or similar nonhighway use;
(13) diesel fuel used by a person, other than a
political subdivision, who owns, controls, operates, or manages a
commercial motor vehicle as defined by Section 548.001,
Transportation Code, if the fuel:
(A) is delivered exclusively into the fuel supply
tank of the commercial motor vehicle; and
(B) is used exclusively to transport passengers
for compensation or hire between points in this state on a fixed
route or schedule; [or]
(14) diesel fuel sold to a volunteer fire department
in this state for the department's exclusive use; or
(15) diesel fuel sold to a rural transit district
created under Chapter 458, Transportation Code, that uses the
diesel fuel exclusively to provide public transportation.
SECTION 5. Sections 162.227(a) and (f), Tax Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) A license holder may take a credit on a return for the
period in which the sale occurred if the license holder paid tax on
the purchase of diesel fuel and subsequently resells the diesel
fuel without collecting the tax to:
(1) the United States government for its exclusive
use, provided that a credit is not allowed for gasoline used by a
person operating under a contract with the United States;
(2) a public school district in this state for the
district's exclusive use;
(3) an exporter licensed under this subchapter if the
seller is a licensed supplier or distributor and the exporter
subsequently exports the diesel fuel to another state;
(4) a licensed aviation fuel dealer if the seller is a
licensed distributor; [or]
(5) a commercial transportation company or a
metropolitan rapid transit authority operating under Chapter 451,
Transportation Code, that provides public school transportation
services to a school district under Section 34.008, Education Code,
and that uses the diesel fuel exclusively to provide those
services; or
(6) a rural transit district created under Chapter
458, Transportation Code, that uses the diesel fuel exclusively to
provide public transportation.
(f) A transit company who paid tax on the purchase of diesel
fuel, and is not otherwise entitled to a refund of that tax under
this subchapter, may seek a refund with the comptroller of one-half
of one cent per gallon for diesel fuel used in transit vehicles.
SECTION 6. Subchapter C, Chapter 162, Tax Code, is amended
by adding Section 162.2276 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.2276. REFUND FOR CERTAIN RURAL TRANSIT DISTRICTS.
(a) A rural transit district created under Chapter 458,
Transportation Code, is entitled to a refund of taxes paid under
this subchapter for diesel fuel used to provide public
transportation and may file a refund claim with the comptroller for
the amount of those taxes.
(b) The refund claim under Subsection (a) must contain
information regarding:
(1) vehicle mileage;
(2) hours of service provided; and
(3) fuel consumed.
(c) A rural transit district that requests a refund under
this section shall maintain all supporting documentation relating
to the refund until the sixth anniversary of the date of the
request.
SECTION 7. Subchapter D, Chapter 162, Tax Code, is amended
by adding Sections 162.3023 and 162.3024 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.3023. RURAL TRANSIT DISTRICT EXEMPTION. (a)
Subject to Section 162.3024, the tax imposed by this subchapter
does not apply to the sale of liquefied petroleum gas to a rural
transit district created under Chapter 458, Transportation Code,
that uses the gas exclusively to provide public transportation, or
to the use of liquefied petroleum gas by that district for that
purpose.
(b) A motor vehicle that uses liquefied petroleum gas, that
is owned by a rural transit district created under Chapter 458,
Transportation Code, and that is used exclusively to provide public
transportation is not required to have a liquefied gas tax decal or
a special use liquefied gas tax decal.
Sec. 162.3024. EXCLUSIVE USE FOR RURAL TRANSIT DISTRICTS.
(a) This section applies to a rural transit district created under
Chapter 458, Transportation Code, that is not required under
Section 162.3023 to have a liquefied gas tax decal or a special use
liquefied gas tax decal for liquefied gas used to provide public
transportation.
(b) The rural transit district shall maintain the following
supporting documentation relating to the services provided under
the contract until the sixth anniversary of the date of the services
provided:
(1) vehicle mileage;
(2) hours of service provided; and
(3) fuel consumed.
(c) The comptroller may adopt rules to implement this
section.
SECTION 8. Section 162.356, Tax Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 162.356. EXEMPTIONS. The tax imposed by this
subchapter does not apply to compressed natural gas or liquefied
natural gas delivered into the fuel supply tank of:
(1) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by the United
States, provided that the exemption does not apply with respect to
fuel delivered into the fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle of a
person operating under a contract with the United States;
(2) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a public
school district in this state;
(3) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a
commercial transportation company or a metropolitan rapid transit
authority operating under Chapter 451, Transportation Code, that
provides public school transportation services to a school district
under Section 34.008, Education Code, and that uses the fuel only to
provide those services;
(4) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a
volunteer fire department in this state;
(5) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a county
in this state;
(6) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a
nonprofit electric cooperative corporation organized under Chapter
161, Utilities Code;
(7) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a
nonprofit telephone cooperative corporation organized under
Chapter 162, Utilities Code;
(8) a motor vehicle that is not registered for use on
the public highways of this state and that is used exclusively
off-highway; [or]
(9) a motor vehicle operated exclusively by a rural
transit district created under Chapter 458, Transportation Code,
that uses the fuel exclusively to provide public transportation; or
(10) off-highway equipment, a stationary engine, a
motorboat, an aircraft, equipment used solely for servicing
aircraft and used exclusively off-highway, a locomotive, or any
device other than a motor vehicle operated or intended to be
operated on the public highways.
SECTION 9. Subchapter D-1, Chapter 162, Tax Code, is
amended by adding Section 162.3685 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.3685. REFUND FOR CERTAIN RURAL TRANSIT DISTRICTS.
(a) A rural transit district created under Chapter 458,
Transportation Code, is entitled to a refund of taxes paid under
this subchapter for compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas
delivered into the fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle used to
provide public transportation and may file a refund claim with the
comptroller for the amount of those taxes.
(b) The refund claim under Subsection (a) must contain
information regarding:
(1) vehicle mileage;
(2) hours of service provided; and
(3) fuel consumed.
(c) A rural transit district that requests a refund under
this section shall maintain all supporting documentation relating
to the refund until the sixth anniversary of the date of the
request.
SECTION 10. The change in law made by this Act does not
affect tax liability accruing before the effective date of this
Act. That liability continues in effect as if this Act had not been
enacted, and the former law is continued in effect for the
collection of taxes due and for civil and criminal enforcement of
the liability for those taxes.
SECTION 11. This Act takes effect immediately 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 immediate
effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.