Legislature Adopts Budget Transparency Reforms by Representative Darby

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas House of Representatives concurred with Senate amendments to budget transparency reforms in House Bill 7 by Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo). The bill now goes to Governor Greg Abbott where it is anticipated to be signed.

House Bill 7 reduces state revenue by over $300 Million by eliminating or reducing state fees on professionals, the sale, lease or rental of diesel equipment and on delivery of gasoline to gas stations. The bill also authorizes additional reductions in unspent account balances being used to certify the state budget. House Bill 7 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 144 to 2.

Since 1991, unspent funds in General Revenue-Dedicated accounts have been used to help certify the budget. These bills ensure that this practice will become a thing of the past, funds collected for a specific program will be spent that way, and allow for the elimination or reduction of unnecessary fees.

"These bills, along with the work of Chairman Otto and the House Appropriations Committee, allow the State to lower fees and work toward a more honest and straightforward budget that brings excess revenues in line with conservative budgeting," Rep. Darby said. "These steps lessen the dependence on balances for certification and lay the foundation for future Legislatures to lower or eliminate additional fees. I applaud Speaker Straus for his leadership in starting this process last session and continuing to make it a priority for the Texas House."

Key reforms in House Bill 7:

• Repeals  the "Professionals Tax" a $200 annual fee on accountants, architects, attorneys, chiropractors, dentists, engineers, interior designers, investment advisors, landscape architects, land surveyors, optometrists, physicians, property tax consultants, psychologists, real estate brokers, and veterinarians saving over 600,000 Texas professionals $125,000,000 annually.
• Implements fractional funding for 400 school districts in the state that were adversely impacted by the 2006 school finance reforms to provide an additional $100,000,000 a year to these school districts.
• Provides assistance payments to counties and cities that are disproportionately affected by a loss of tax revenue from total residence homestead property tax exemptions for 100 percent or totally disabled veterans.
• Improves funding to the state's trauma facilities by utilizing balances and current revenues to fund an additional $93,100,000 more for trauma facilities.

Representative Darby is serving a fifth term in the Texas House of Representatives representing District 72, which is comprised of Coke, Concho, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Reagan, Runnels, Sterling, and Tom Green Counties.  In the 84th Legislative Session, he serves as Chairman of the House Energy Resources Committee and as a member of the House Ways & Means Committee.