AUSTIN, TX — House Bill 3599 by Representative Shawn Thierry, and sponsored by Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, has made it to Governor Abbott’s desk. This legislation will provide a motor fuel tax and licensing fee exemption to nonprofit food bank trucks, allowing them to reinvest the savings into meeting the needs of our communities.

Food banks play a critical role in reducing hunger, addressing community health disparities, and eliminating food waste. Not only do they provide regular year-round assistance to families in need, but they are often among the first on the ground when disaster strikes. The Feeding Texas network of food banks reports distributing hundreds of millions of pounds of food annually to Texans, reaching every county in the state.

To meet these needs, food banks rely on their fleets of trucks to transport and deliver goods. However, transportation-related costs such as motor fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees have posed a significant impact on their expenses. By providing this exemption, HB 3599 will enable food banks to maximize the impact of their resources with strategic investments designed to increase self-sufficiency.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"I was honored to serve as the Senate Sponsor of House Bill 3599. Senate District 20 is home to both the Coastal Bend Food Bank and Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and this legislation will allow food banks like theirs to take dollars that would have otherwise gone to taxes and fees and instead reinvest them in the programs they operate. I want to thank Representative Thierry for her tireless work on this bill and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our communities."

If approved by the Governor, this bill will take effect September 1, 2023.

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