AUSTIN, TX — Today Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, along with Comptroller Glenn Hager and State Representative Drew Darby, held a press conference announcing the first ever sales tax holiday for water efficient products intended to encourage water conservation. This Memorial Day Weekend, beginning Saturday, May 28 through midnight on Monday, May 30, Texans can purchase water conservation products and/or a WaterSense product without paying a sales tax.

This past legislative session, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa authored and passed SB 1356 to add water efficient products to the already existing tax free weekend for energy efficient products to incentivize consumers statewide to make smart choices in conserving water. Water efficient products save consumers money and reduce consumption rates for our state's valuable water resources, which are even more valuable in the event of a drought.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:
"Although Texas is currently experiencing heavy rains and dangerous flooding, we must remember that many of our state's regions are "water-challenged" and often experience long periods of drought which can have devastating impacts to our state. I'm proud to have passed legislation to help our families statewide get a tax break as they do their part to conserve water and utilize water efficient products.

This tax free weekend is estimated to save our hard-working Texans almost $5 million in sales tax by buying these products over the Memorial Day weekend. We hope to raise public awareness about the importance of water conservation through this tax free weekend highlighting the steps that Texans can take to make smart water choices in an effort to have more water available during times of drought."

Tax free items include shower heads, a soaker or drip-irrigation hose, mulch, plants, trees, and grasses, rain barrels, a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system, and others. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. The following link to the Texas Comptroller's webpage will provide more information:

http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_1018.html

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