H.B. 430

1

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES FOR
2 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECTS
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Kevin S. Garn
6 Senate Sponsor: Sheldon L. Killpack
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill enacts the Renewable Energy Development Act within the Governor's Office
11 of Economic Development.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . provides for the creation of renewable energy development zones by the Governor's
15 Office of Economic Development and provides definitions related to renewable
16 energy development zones and renewable energy development projects undertaken
17 within those zones;
18 . provides for an economic development tax credit to business entities upon meeting
19 standards set by the Governor's Office of Economic Development that are based on
20 requirements established in the act;
21 . provides for the issuance of a renewable energy development tax credit certificate
22 by the office, with certain restrictions and conditions, such as specifying the
23 maximum amount of tax credit a business entity may earn over the life of a
24 renewable energy project;
25 . provides that a renewable energy project must include direct investment within the
26 boundaries of a zone, must bring new incremental jobs to the state, must include
27 significant capital investment or the creation of high paying jobs or significant

28 purchases from Utah vendors and providers, and must generate new state revenues;
29 . requires the business entity to submit to audits for verification of a claimed tax
30 credit;
31 . provides for certification by the office of a business entity's eligibility for a claimed
32 tax credit; and
33 . requires for an annual report to the Legislature and the Utah Tax Review
34 Commission on the success of the renewable energy development project tax
35 incentive program.
36 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
37 None
38 Other Special Clauses:
39 This bill provides an effective date.
40 This bill has retrospective operation for a taxable year beginning on or after January 1,
41 2009.
42 Utah Code Sections Affected:
43 AMENDS:
44 59-7-614.2, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 372
45 59-10-1107, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 372
46 ENACTS:
47 63M-1-2801, Utah Code Annotated 1953
48 63M-1-2802, Utah Code Annotated 1953
49 63M-1-2803, Utah Code Annotated 1953
50 63M-1-2804, Utah Code Annotated 1953
51 63M-1-2805, Utah Code Annotated 1953
52 63M-1-2806, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53
54 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
55 Section 1. Section 59-7-614.2 is amended to read:
56 59-7-614.2. Refundable economic development tax credit.
57 (1) As used in this section:
58 (a) "Business entity" means a taxpayer that meets the definition of "business entity" as

59 defined in Section 63M-1-2403 or 63M-1-2803 .
60 (b) "Office" means the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
61 (2) [For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, a] A business entity may
62 claim a refundable tax credit for economic development.
63 (3) The tax credit under this section is the amount listed as the tax credit amount on the
64 tax credit certificate that the office issues to the business entity for the taxable year.
65 (4) (a) In accordance with any rules prescribed by the commission under Subsection
66 (4)(b), the commission shall make a refund to a business entity that claims a tax credit under
67 this section if the amount of the tax credit exceeds the business entity's tax liability for a
68 taxable year.
69 (b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
70 commission may make rules providing procedures for making a refund to a business entity as
71 required by Subsection (4)(a).
72 (5) (a) On or before October 1, 2013, and every five years after October 1, 2013, the
73 Utah Tax Review Commission shall study the tax credit allowed by this section and make
74 recommendations to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee and the Workforce Services
75 and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee concerning whether the tax
76 credit should be continued, modified, or repealed.
77 (b) For purposes of the study required by this Subsection (5), the office shall provide
78 the following information to the Utah Tax Review Commission:
79 (i) the amount of tax credit that the office grants to each business entity for each
80 calendar year;
81 (ii) the criteria that the office uses in granting a tax credit;
82 (iii) the new state revenues generated by each business entity for each calendar year;
83 (iv) the information contained in the office's latest report to the Legislature under
84 Section 63M-1-2406 or 63M-1-2806 ; and
85 (v) any other information that the Utah Tax Review Commission requests.
86 (c) The Utah Tax Review Commission shall ensure that its recommendations under
87 Subsection (5)(a) include an evaluation of:
88 (i) the cost of the tax credit to the state;
89 (ii) the purpose and effectiveness of the tax credit; and

90 (iii) the extent to which the state benefits from the tax credit.
91 Section 2. Section 59-10-1107 is amended to read:
92 59-10-1107. Refundable economic development tax credit.
93 (1) As used in this section:
94 (a) "Business entity" means a claimant, estate, or trust that meets the definition of
95 "business entity" as defined in Section 63M-1-2403 or 63M-1-2803 .
96 (b) "Office" means the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
97 (2) [For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, a] A business entity may
98 claim a refundable tax credit for economic development.
99 (3) The tax credit under this section is the amount listed as the tax credit amount on the
100 tax credit certificate that the office issues to the business entity for the taxable year.
101 (4) (a) In accordance with any rules prescribed by the commission under Subsection
102 (4)(b), the commission shall make a refund to a business entity that claims a tax credit under
103 this section if the amount of the tax credit exceeds the business entity's tax liability for a
104 taxable year.
105 (b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
106 commission may make rules providing procedures for making a refund to a business entity as
107 required by Subsection (4)(a).
108 (5) (a) On or before October 1, 2013, and every five years after October 1, 2013, the
109 Utah Tax Review Commission shall study the tax credit allowed by this section and make
110 recommendations to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee and the Workforce Services
111 and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee concerning whether the tax
112 credit should be continued, modified, or repealed.
113 (b) For purposes of the study required by this Subsection (5), the office shall provide
114 the following information to the Utah Tax Review Commission:
115 (i) the amount of tax credit the office grants to each taxpayer for each calendar year;
116 (ii) the criteria the office uses in granting a tax credit;
117 (iii) the new state revenues generated by each taxpayer for each calendar year;
118 (iv) the information contained in the office's latest report to the Legislature under
119 Section 63M-1-2406 or 63M-1-2806 ; and
120 (v) any other information that the Utah Tax Review Commission requests.

121 (c) The Utah Tax Review Commission shall ensure that its recommendations under
122 Subsection (5)(a) include an evaluation of:
123 (i) the cost of the tax credit to the state;
124 (ii) the purpose and effectiveness of the tax credit; and
125 (iii) the extent to which the state benefits from the tax credit.
126 Section 3. Section 63M-1-2801 is enacted to read:
127 Part 28. Renewable Energy Development Act
128 63M-1-2801. Title.
129 This part is known as the "Renewable Energy Development Act."
130 Section 4. Section 63M-1-2802 is enacted to read:
131 63M-1-2802. Findings.
132 (1) The Legislature finds that:
133 (a) to foster and develop the renewable energy industry in Utah, including generation
134 and manufacturing, is a public purpose necessary to assure the health and welfare of Utah's
135 citizens and the growth of the state's economy;
136 (b) Utah loses prospective high paying jobs, new economic growth, and corresponding
137 incremental new state and local revenues to competing states due to a wide variety of
138 competing renewable energy incentives offered by those states; and
139 (c) renewable energy initiatives and interests of state and local officials should be
140 aligned and united in renewable energy generation and related manufacturing.
141 (2) This part is enacted to:
142 (a) increase generation of renewable energy and create high paying jobs in the
143 renewable energy industry, thereby growing the state's economy and corresponding state and
144 local revenues by providing tax credits to attract new renewable energy projects and assist in
145 the expansion of existing renewable energy projects located within renewable energy
146 development zones in the state; and
147 (b) provide a cooperative and unified working relationship between state and local
148 renewable energy development efforts.
149 Section 5. Section 63M-1-2803 is enacted to read:
150 63M-1-2803. Definitions.
151 As used in this part:

152 (1) "Business entity" means a person that:
153 (a) conducts business in Utah; and
154 (b) enters into an agreement with the office that qualifies the person to receive a tax
155 credit under Section 59-7-614.2 or 59-10-1107 .
156 (2) "High paying jobs" means the annual wages of employment positions in a business
157 entity that compare favorably against the average wage of a community in which the
158 employment positions will exist.
159 (3) "New incremental jobs" means employment positions that are:
160 (a) not shifted from one jurisdiction in the state to another jurisdiction in the state; and
161 (b) created in addition to the baseline count of employment positions that existed
162 within the business entity before the new commercial project.
163 (4) "New state revenues" means:
164 (a) incremental new state sales and use tax revenues generated as a result of a
165 renewable energy project in a renewable energy development zone that a business entity pays
166 under Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act;
167 (b) incremental new state tax revenues that a business entity pays as a result of a
168 renewable energy project in a renewable energy development zone under:
169 (i) Title 59, Chapter 7, Corporate Franchise and Income Taxes;
170 (ii) Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 1, Determination and Reporting of Tax Liability and
171 Information;
172 (iii) Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 2, Trusts and Estates;
173 (iv) Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 4, Withholding of Tax; or
174 (v) a combination of Subsections (4)(b)(i) through (4)(b)(iv);
175 (c) incremental new state tax revenues generated as individual income taxes under
176 Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 1, Determination and Reporting of Tax Liability and Information,
177 paid by employees of the new commercial project as evidenced by payroll records from the
178 business entity; or
179 (d) a combination of Subsections (4)(a) through (4)(c).
180 (5) "Office" means the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
181 (6) "Renewable energy" means the energy generation as defined in Subsection
182 10-19-102 (11).

183 (7) "Renewable energy development zone" means a renewable energy development
184 zone created under Section 63M-1-2804 .
185 (8) "Renewable energy project" means a development opportunity that involves
186 renewable energy generation or manufacturing of equipment used directly in renewable energy
187 generation of increased energy efficiency.
188 (9) "Tax credit" means an economic development tax credit created by Section
189 59-7-614.2 or 59-10-1107 .
190 (10) "Tax credit amount" means the amount the office lists as a tax credit on a tax
191 credit certificate for a taxable year.
192 (11) "Tax credit certificate" means a certificate issued by the office that:
193 (a) lists the name of the applicant;
194 (b) lists the applicant's taxpayer identification number;
195 (c) lists the amount of the tax credit that the office awards the applicant for a taxable
196 year; and
197 (d) may include other information as determined by the office.
198 Section 6. Section 63M-1-2804 is enacted to read:
199 63M-1-2804. Creation of renewable energy development zones -- Tax credits.
200 (1) The office, with advice from the board, may create a renewable energy
201 development zone in the state that satisfies the following requirements:
202 (a) the area is zoned commercial, industrial, manufacturing, business park, research
203 park, or other appropriate use in a community approved master plan;
204 (b) the request to create a renewable energy development zone has been forwarded to
205 the office after first being approved by an appropriate local government entity; and
206 (c) the local government entity has committed or will commit to provide incentives,
207 which may include an abatement of some or all of the property taxes for up to 30 years for a
208 renewable energy project qualified under this part.
209 (2) (a) By following the procedures and requirements of Title 63G, Chapter 4,
210 Administrative Procedures Act, the office shall set standards that a business entity must meet to
211 qualify for a tax credit under this part.
212 (b) The office shall ensure that those standards include the following requirements:
213 (i) the renewable energy project must be within a renewable energy development zone;

214 (ii) the renewable energy project includes direct investment within the geographic
215 boundaries of the renewable energy development zone;
216 (iii) the renewable energy project brings new incremental jobs to Utah;
217 (iv) the renewable energy project includes significant capital investment, the creation
218 of high paying jobs, or significant purchases from Utah vendors and providers, or any
219 combination of these three economic factors;
220 (v) the renewable energy project generates new state revenues; and
221 (vi) the business entity qualifying for the tax credit meets the requirements of Section
222 63M-1-2405 .
223 (3) (a) The office, with advice from the board, may enter into an agreement with a
224 business entity authorizing a tax credit to a business entity that meets the standards established
225 under Subsection (2).
226 (b) The office may not authorize or commit a tax credit to a business entity that
227 exceeds 100% of the new state revenues generated by the business entity's renewable energy
228 project over the life of a renewable energy project or 20 years, whichever is less.
229 (4) The office shall ensure that the agreement with the business entity that is described
230 in Subsection (3):
231 (a) details the requirements that the business entity must meet to qualify for a tax credit
232 under this part;
233 (b) specifies the maximum amount of tax credit that the business entity may earn over
234 the life of the renewable energy project;
235 (c) establishes the length of time the business entity may claim a tax credit;
236 (d) requires the business entity to retain records supporting its claim for a tax credit for
237 at least four years after the business entity claims a tax credit under this part; and
238 (e) requires the business entity to submit to audits for verification of the tax credit
239 claimed.
240 Section 7. Section 63M-1-2805 is enacted to read:
241 63M-1-2805. Qualifications for tax credit -- Procedure.
242 (1) The office shall certify a business entity's eligibility for a tax credit as provided in
243 this section.
244 (2) A business entity seeking to receive a tax credit shall provide the office with:

245 (a) an application for the tax credit certificate;
246 (b) documentation of the new state revenues generated from the business entity's
247 renewable energy project that were paid during the preceding calendar year; and
248 (c) a document that expressly directs and authorizes the State Tax Commission to
249 disclose to the office the business entity's returns and other information concerning the business
250 entity that would otherwise be subject to confidentiality under Section 59-1-403 or Section
251 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code.
252 (3) (a) The office shall submit the document referred to in Subsection (2)(c) to the
253 State Tax Commission.
254 (b) Upon receipt of the document, the State Tax Commission shall provide the office
255 with the information requested by the office that the business entity directed or authorized the
256 State Tax Commission to provide to the office in the document referred to in Subsection (2)(c).
257 (4) If after review of the information provided by the business entity and the State Tax
258 Commission the office determines that the documentation provided by the business entity is
259 not substantially accurate, the office shall either:
260 (a) deny the tax credit; or
261 (b) inform the business entity that the documentation was inadequate and ask the
262 business entity to submit new documentation.
263 (5) If after review of the information provided by the entity and the State Tax
264 Commission the office determines that the documentation provided by the business entity is
265 substantially accurate, the office shall, based upon the documentation:
266 (a) determine the amount of the tax credit to be granted to the business entity;
267 (b) issue a tax credit certificate to the business entity; and
268 (c) provide a duplicate copy of the tax credit certificate to the State Tax Commission.
269 (6) A business entity may not claim a tax credit under this part unless the business
270 entity has a tax credit certificate issued by the office.
271 (7) A business entity that claims the credit under this section shall retain the tax credit
272 certificate in accordance with Section 59-7-614.2 or 59-10-1107 .
273 Section 8. Section 63M-1-2806 is enacted to read:
274 63M-1-2806. Report to the Legislature.
275 The office shall report annually to the Legislature's Workforce Services and Community

276 and Economic Development Interim Committee and the Utah Tax Review Commission
277 describing:
278 (1) its success in attracting renewable energy projects to renewable energy
279 development zones under this part and the corresponding increase in new increment jobs;
280 (2) the amount of tax credits promised and the period of time over which the tax credits
281 will be paid; and
282 (3) the economic impact on the state related to generating new state revenues and
283 providing tax credits under this part.
284 Section 9. Effective date -- Retrospective operation.
285 (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect on May 12, 2009.
286 (2) The amendments to Sections 59-7-614.2 and 59-10-1107 have retrospective
287 operation for a taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2009.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-24-09 10:01 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel