The proposed bill, H.B. No. 151, aims to promote transparency in state taxation by establishing a new chapter in the Texas Tax Code titled "Honesty in State Taxation." It includes legislative findings that state the current practice of labeling taxes with alternative terms such as "fees," "levies," and "fines" obscures the true nature of these charges. The bill defines "regulatory tax" and mandates that state taxes, including regulatory taxes, must not be misidentified in any new statutes or resolutions. Additionally, it requires state agencies to use accurate terminology in their rules, publications, and electronic media, ensuring that all state charges are correctly identified as taxes.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision in the Government Code that requires the commission reviewing state agencies to consider and recommend necessary statutory revisions to align with the intent of the new chapter on honesty in taxation. This legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to enhance taxpayer awareness and understanding of state taxation practices.

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