Sec. 151.156. TAX-FREE PURCHASES OF CERTAIN EXPORTED ITEMS. (a) The comptroller by rule may establish procedures by which a maquiladora enterprise or its agent may make tax-free purchases in this state of tangible personal property that is exempted from the taxes imposed by this chapter because the property is immediately exported beyond the territorial limits of the United States.

(b) The comptroller may issue a permit to an enterprise that the comptroller authorizes to make tax-free purchases under this section and the comptroller's rules and may allow an authorized maquiladora enterprise to make a tax-free purchase by executing an exemption certificate or in any other manner the comptroller provides.

(c) To qualify to make tax-free purchases under this section, a maquiladora enterprise must apply to the comptroller and comply with any requirements the comptroller requires to administer this section and to prevent the evasion of state and local sales and use taxes. The comptroller may require a maquiladora enterprise to post a bond or other security in the amount the comptroller considers reasonable to ensure the payment of state and local sales and use taxes. The comptroller shall require a maquiladora enterprise authorized to make tax-free purchases under this section to make available to the comptroller on request its books and records relating to its maquiladora status, operations, and purchases.

(d) The comptroller shall require a maquiladora enterprise authorized to make tax-free purchases under this section to make a report of its tax-free purchases at least quarterly and may require the enterprise to include in a report any other information the comptroller requires.

(e) The comptroller may suspend or revoke the permit or other authorization of an enterprise to make tax-free purchases under this section without notice for good cause. In that event, the comptroller shall notify the enterprise as soon as practicable of the comptroller's action and shall provide the enterprise with an opportunity for a hearing on whether the enterprise qualifies to make tax-free purchases under this section.

(f) In this section, "maquiladora enterprise" means a business entity chartered by the government of the United Mexican States and authorized by that government to make duty-free imports of raw materials, component parts, or other property into Mexico to be used in manufacturing, processing, or assembling items by the business entity in Mexico primarily for export from Mexico.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 903, Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 1989.