| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
HB 3039 would require a metal building, roof, and component retailer retailer to register annually with the Comptroller of Public Accounts. The Comptroller would be authorized to charge a fee to cover the cost of the registration.
HB 3039 would subject a person who fails to register to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500.
The comptroller of public accounts would also have to study
the compliance during calendar year 2016 of metal building, roof,
and component retailers who make taxable sales of those buildings,
roofs, and components with the requirements of Chapter 151, Tax
Code, including the requirements to obtain sales tax permits and
collect sales and use taxes under that chapter.
HB 3039 would impose an unnecessary registration upon a metal building, roof, and component retailer retailer with the threat of civil penalties for noncompliance. While the cost of the registration fees is yet to be determined, and could very well be nominal at most, it is not the place of government to mandate businesses to register with the state and threatening them with penalties if they don't.
Occupational licensing serves to protect the vested interests of entrenched business at the expense of potential future competitors. This legislation is antithetical to free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. We are strongly opposed to HB 3039.