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H.B. 75

             1     

INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE FUND

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: David Clark

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies and enacts provisions related to the Industrial Assistance Fund.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    provides a definition for economic opportunities;
             13          .    provides that up to 20% of the monies in the Industrial Assistance Fund may be
             14      used for economic opportunities; and
             15          .    provides qualifications for entities seeking Industrial Assistance Fund monies for
             16      the financing of economic opportunities.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          9-2-1202, as last amended by Chapter 14, Laws of Utah 2003
             24          9-2-1203, as last amended by Chapter 14, Laws of Utah 2003
             25          9-2-1204, as last amended by Chapters 14 and 88, Laws of Utah 2003
             26          9-2-1205, as last amended by Chapters 14 and 291, Laws of Utah 2003
             27          9-2-1205.5, as last amended by Chapter 14, Laws of Utah 2003


             28      ENACTS:
             29          9-2-1205.8, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             30      REPEALS:
             31          9-2-1206, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 241, Laws of Utah 1992
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 9-2-1202 is amended to read:
             35           9-2-1202. Definitions.
             36          As used in this part:
             37          (1) "Administrator" means the executive director of the Department of Community and
             38      Economic Development or the executive director's designee.
             39          (2) "Board" means the Board of Business and Economic Development.
             40          (3) "Company creating an economic impediment" means a company that discourages
             41      economic development within a reasonable radius of its location because of:
             42          (a) odors;
             43          (b) noise;
             44          (c) pollution;
             45          (d) health hazards; or
             46          (e) other activities similar to those described in Subsections (3)(a) through (d).
             47          (4) "Economic opportunities" means unique business situations or community
             48      circumstances which lend themselves to the furtherance of the economic interests of the state
             49      by providing a catalyst or stimulus to the growth or retention, or both, of commerce and
             50      industry in the state.
             51          [(4)] (5) "Economically disadvantaged rural area" means a geographic area designated
             52      by the board under Section 9-2-1207 .
             53          [(5)] (6) "Fund" means the restricted account known as the Industrial Assistance Fund
             54      created in Section 9-2-1203 .
             55          [(6)] (7) "Replacement company" means a company locating its business or part of its
             56      business in a location vacated by a company creating an economic impediment.
             57          [(7)] (8) "Targeted industry" means an industry or group of industries targeted by the
             58      board, under Section 9-2-1207 , for economic development in the state.


             59          Section 2. Section 9-2-1203 is amended to read:
             60           9-2-1203. Industrial Assistance Fund created.
             61          (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the
             62      Industrial Assistance Fund of which:
             63          (a) up to 50% shall be used in economically disadvantaged rural areas[.]; and
             64          (b) up to 20% may be used to take timely advantage of economic opportunities as they
             65      arise.
             66          (2) The fund shall be administered by the administrator under the policy direction of
             67      the board.
             68          (3) The administrator may hire appropriate support staff.
             69          (4) The cost of administering the fund shall be paid from monies in the fund.
             70          (5) Interest accrued from investment of monies in the fund shall remain in the fund.
             71          Section 3. Section 9-2-1204 is amended to read:
             72           9-2-1204. Loans, grants, and assistance -- Repayment -- Earned credits.
             73          (1) (a) A company that qualifies under Section 9-2-1205 may receive loans, grants, or
             74      other financial assistance from the fund for expenses related to establishment, relocation, or
             75      development of industry in Utah.
             76          (b) A company creating an economic impediment that qualifies under Section
             77      9-2-1205.5 may in accordance with this part receive loans, grants, or other financial assistance
             78      from the fund for the expenses of the company creating an economic impediment related to:
             79          (i) relocation to a rural area in Utah of the company creating an economic impediment;
             80      and
             81          (ii) the siting of a replacement company.
             82          (c) An entity offering an economic opportunity that qualifies under Section 9-2-1205.8
             83      may:
             84          (i) receive loans, grants, or other financial assistance from the fund for expenses related
             85      to the establishment, relocation, retention, or development of industry in the state; and
             86          (ii) include infrastructure or other economic development precursor activities that act
             87      as a catalyst and stimulus for economic activity likely to lead to the maintenance or
             88      enlargement of the state's tax base.
             89          (2) (a) Subject to Subsection (2)(b), the administrator has authority to determine the


             90      structure, amount, and nature of any loan, grant, or other financial assistance from the fund.
             91          (b) Loans made under Subsection (2)(a) shall be structured so the intended repayment
             92      or return to the state, including cash or credit, equals at least the amount of the assistance
             93      together with an annual interest charge as negotiated by the administrator.
             94          (c) Payments resulting from grants awarded from the fund shall be made only after the
             95      administrator has determined that the company has satisfied the conditions upon which the
             96      payment or earned credit was based.
             97          (3) (a) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), the administrator may provide for a
             98      system of earned credits that may be used to support grant payments or in lieu of cash
             99      repayment of a fund loan obligation.
             100          (ii) The value of the credits described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) shall be based on factors
             101      determined by the administrator, including:
             102          (A) the number of Utah jobs created;
             103          (B) the increased economic activity in Utah; and
             104          (C) other events and activities that occur as a result of the fund assistance.
             105          (b) (i) The administrator shall provide for a system of credits to be used to support
             106      grant payments or in lieu of cash repayment of a fund loan when loans are made to a company
             107      creating an economic impediment.
             108          (ii) The value of the credits described in Subsection (3)(b)(i) shall be based on factors
             109      determined by the administrator, including:
             110          (A) the number of Utah jobs created;
             111          (B) the increased economic activity in Utah; and
             112          (C) other events and activities that occur as a result of the fund assistance.
             113          (4) (a) A cash loan repayment or other cash recovery from a company receiving
             114      assistance under this section, including interest, shall be deposited into the fund.
             115          (b) The administrator and the Division of Finance shall determine the manner of
             116      recognizing and accounting for the earned credits used in lieu of loan repayments or to support
             117      grant payments as provided in Subsection (3).
             118          (5) (a) At the end of each fiscal year, after the transfer of surplus General Fund
             119      revenues has been made to the General Fund Budget Reserve Account as provided in Section
             120      63-38-2.5 , any additional unrestricted, undesignated General Fund balance shall be earmarked


             121      to the Industrial Assistance Fund in an amount equal to any credit that has accrued under this
             122      part.
             123          (b) These credit amounts may not be used for purposes of the fund as provided in this
             124      part until appropriated by the Legislature.
             125          Section 4. Section 9-2-1205 is amended to read:
             126           9-2-1205. Qualification for assistance.
             127          (1) Except as provided in Section 9-2-1205.5 or Section 9-2-1205.8 , the administrator
             128      shall determine which industries, companies, and individuals qualify to receive monies from
             129      the fund. Except as provided by Subsection (2), to qualify for financial assistance from the
             130      fund, an applicant shall:
             131          (a) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator that the applicant will expend
             132      funds in Utah with employees, vendors, subcontractors, or other businesses in an amount
             133      proportional with monies provided from the fund at a minimum ratio of 2 to 1 per year or other
             134      more stringent requirements as established from time to time by the board for a minimum
             135      period of five years beginning with the date the loan or grant was approved;
             136          (b) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator the applicant's ability to sustain
             137      economic activity in the state sufficient to repay, by means of cash or appropriate credits, the
             138      loan provided by the fund; and
             139          (c) satisfy other criteria the administrator considers appropriate.
             140          (2) (a) The administrator may exempt an applicant from the requirements of Subsection
             141      (1)(a) or (1)(b) if:
             142          (i) the financial assistance is provided to an applicant for the purpose of locating all or
             143      any portion of its operations to an economically disadvantaged rural area;
             144          (ii) the applicant is part of a targeted industry; [or]
             145          (iii) the applicant is a quasi-public corporation organized under Title 16, Chapter 6a,
             146      Utah Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act, or Title 63E, Chapter 2, Independent Corporations
             147      Act, and its operations, as demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administrator, will provide
             148      significant economic stimulus to the growth of commerce and industry in the state[.]; or
             149          (iv) the applicant is an entity offering an economic opportunity under Section
             150      9-2-1205.8 .
             151          (b) The administrator may not exempt the applicant from the requirement under


             152      Subsection 9-2-1204 (2)(b) that the loan be structured so that the repayment or return to the
             153      state equals at least the amount of the assistance together with an annual interest charge.
             154          (3) The administrator shall:
             155          (a) for applicants not described in Subsection (2)(a):
             156          (i) make findings as to whether or not each applicant has satisfied each of the
             157      conditions set forth in Subsection (1); and
             158          (ii) monitor the continued compliance by each applicant with each of the conditions set
             159      forth in Subsection (1) for five years;
             160          (b) for applicants described in Subsection (2)(a), make findings as to whether the
             161      economic activities of each applicant has resulted in the creation of new jobs on a per capita
             162      basis in the economically disadvantaged rural area or targeted industry in which the applicant is
             163      located;
             164          (c) monitor the compliance by each applicant with the provisions of any contract or
             165      agreement entered into between the applicant and the state as provided in Section [ 9-2-1206 ]
             166      9-2-1205.1 ; and
             167          (d) make funding decisions based upon appropriate findings and compliance.
             168          Section 5. Section 9-2-1205.5 is amended to read:
             169           9-2-1205.5. Financial assistance to companies that create economic impediments.
             170          (1) (a) The administrator may provide monies from the fund to a company creating an
             171      economic impediment if that company:
             172          (i) applies to the administrator;
             173          (ii) relocates to a rural area in Utah; and
             174          (iii) meets the qualifications of Subsection (1)(b).
             175          (b) Except as provided by Subsection (2), to qualify for financial assistance from the
             176      fund, a company creating an economic impediment shall:
             177          (i) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator that the company creating an
             178      economic impediment, its replacement company, or in the aggregate the company creating the
             179      economic impediment and its replacement company:
             180          (A) will expend funds in Utah with employees, vendors, subcontractors, or other
             181      businesses in an amount proportional with monies provided from the fund at a minimum ratio
             182      of 2 to 1 per year or other more stringent requirements as established from time to time by the


             183      board for a minimum period of five years beginning with the date the loan or grant was
             184      approved; and
             185          (B) can sustain economic activity in the state sufficient to repay, by means of cash or
             186      appropriate credits, the loan provided by the fund; and
             187          (ii) satisfy other criteria the administrator considers appropriate.
             188          (2) (a) The administrator may exempt a company creating an economic impediment
             189      from the requirements of Subsection (1)(b)(i)(A) if:
             190          (i) the financial assistance is provided to a company creating an economic impediment
             191      for the purpose of locating all or any portion of its operations to an economically disadvantaged
             192      rural area; or
             193          (ii) its replacement company is part of a targeted industry.
             194          (b) The administrator may not exempt a company creating an economic impediment
             195      from the requirement under Subsection 9-2-1204 (2)(b) that the loan be structured so that the
             196      repayment or return to the state equals at least the amount of the assistance together with an
             197      annual interest charge.
             198          (3) The administrator shall:
             199          (a) make findings as to whether or not a company creating an economic impediment,
             200      its replacement company, or both, have satisfied each of the conditions set forth in Subsection
             201      (1);
             202          (b) monitor the compliance by a company creating an economic impediment, its
             203      replacement company, or both, with:
             204          (i) each of the conditions set forth in Subsection (1); and
             205          (ii) any contract or agreement under Section [ 9-2-1206 ] 9-2-1205.1 entered into
             206      between:
             207          (A) the company creating an economic impediment; and
             208          (B) the state; and
             209          (c) make funding decisions based upon appropriate findings and compliance.
             210          Section 6. Section 9-2-1205.8 is enacted to read:
             211          9-2-1205.8. Financial assistance to entities offering economic opportunities.
             212          (1) Subject to the duties and powers of the board under Section 9-2-204 , the
             213      administrator may provide monies from the fund to an entity offering an economic opportunity


             214      if that entity:
             215          (a) applies to the administrator; and
             216          (b) meets the qualifications of Subsection (2).
             217          (2) The applicant shall:
             218          (a) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the administrator the nature of the economic
             219      opportunity and the related benefit to the economic well-being of the state by providing
             220      evidence documenting the logical and compelling linkage, either direct or indirect, between the
             221      expenditure of monies necessitated by the economic opportunity and the likelihood that the
             222      state's tax base will be maintained or enlarged;
             223          (b) demonstrate how the funding request will act in concert with other state, federal, or
             224      local agencies to achieve the economic benefit;
             225          (c) demonstrate how the funding request will act in concert with free market principles;
             226          (d) satisfy other criteria the administrator considers appropriate; and
             227          (e) be either:
             228          (i) an entity whose purpose is to exclusively or substantially promote, develop, or
             229      maintain the economic welfare and prosperity of the state as a whole, regions of the state, or
             230      specific components of the state; or
             231          (ii) a company or individual that does not otherwise qualify under Section 9-2-1205 .
             232          (3) Subject to the duties and powers of the board under Section 9-2-204 , the
             233      administrator shall:
             234          (a) make findings as to whether an applicant has satisfied each of the conditions set
             235      forth in Subsection (2);
             236          (b) establish benchmarks and timeframes in which progress toward the completion of
             237      the agreed upon activity is to occur;
             238          (c) monitor compliance by an applicant with any contract or agreement entered into by
             239      the applicant and the state as provided by Section 9-2-1205.1 ; and
             240          (d) make funding decisions based upon appropriate findings and compliance.
             241          Section 7. Repealer.
             242          This bill repeals:
             243          Section 9-2-1206, Agreements.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-29-03 2:58 PM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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