Bill Caption

Relating to the municipal fees charged to certain air conditioning and refrigeration contractors.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 871 would prohibit municipalities from charging registration fees to licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractors for work performed within the municipality. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 871 on the principles of limited government and individual liberty. Local governments should not treat licensed professionals as ATMs from which to extract fees. These professionals already suffer the indignity of paying a fee for permission to work in their chosen field within this state; the indignity should not be compounded by municipal governments using registration fees to generate revenue without having to go through the trouble of raising taxes. Restricting government income to as few conduits as possible is simpler for constituents and helps keep government accountable.