The Texas Legislature is only in session every other year, meaning that they have “interim” years. This gives them some time to study measures that have either been signed into law and may need some tweaking or issues that have yet to be passed.  

This also gives NFIB an opportunity to speak with legislators about the effect regulations and taxes have on the small business community in Texas.  

Last week, Texas House Speaker, Dade Phelan, released a collection of interim charges to the body—identifying his priority issues each House committee must study. At the end of a set of hearings on the issues, the committees will submit a full report to the legislature, which helps determine what will be on the table next session, 2023.  

Of the charges, the following are of interest to the small business community and flagged by NFIB to submit record testimony: 

• Study the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on unemployment trends, hurdles to workforce reentry, and industry-specific disruptions.  
• Study the impact of organized retail crime on Texas businesses. Make recommendations for addressing the redistribution of stolen merchandise into the supply chain, including through online marketplaces, to protect Texas businesses and consumers. Make recommendations relating to transparency for online marketplaces and information that should be provided by sellers. 
• Monitor the state’s economic recovery and identify obstacles impeding the state’s economic recovery. Examine the economic impact of inflation on both employers and employees. Examine global supply chain disruptions on state commerce and the flow of trade at Texas ports. Explore opportunities to attract businesses to Texas that have outsourced elements of their supply chain to foreign countries. 
• Evaluate labor shortages and Texas’ unemployment numbers. Identify initiatives within the Texas Workforce Commission to expand job training and apprenticeship opportunities to help meet labor demands. Identify opportunities to increase outreach and information regarding career development. 
• Evaluate the impact of shifting to destination sourcing for local sales and use tax purposes, including the benefits of reduced taxpayer confusion. Monitor the implementation of the Comptroller’s amendments to 34 Tx. Admin. Code §3.334, relating to local sales and use taxes, and the Comptroller’s Sales Tax Rate Locator. Make recommendations for legislation to improve Texas’ local sales and use tax sourcing.