HBA-EDN H.B. 3273 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3273 By: Oliveira Ways & Means 3/22/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 76th Legislature approved a "sales tax holiday" for clothing and footwear priced under $100 purchased during the first weekend in August. According to the Comptroller's office, Texans saved more than $30 million during each of these weekends in 1999 and 2000. House Bill 3273 provides that certain writing instruments are also exempt when purchased during the August sales tax exemption period. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 3273 amends the Tax Code to provide that certain writing instruments are exempt from limited sales, excise, and use taxes if the sale of the item takes place during the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the following Sunday and only applies if the sales price of the item is less than $5. EFFECTIVE DATE July 1, 2001, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect October 1, 2001.