H.B. 317

1

CURRENCY AMENDMENTS
2 2011 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Brad J. Galvez
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill recognizes gold and silver coins that are issued and deemed legal tender by the
10 federal government as legal tender in the state and exempts the exchange of the coins
11 from certain types of state tax liability.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . provides definitions;
15 . recognizes gold and silver coins issued and deemed legal tender by the federal
16 government to be legal tender in the state;
17 . does not compel a person to tender or accept gold and silver coin;
18 . provides that the exchange of gold and silver coins for another form of legal tender
19 does not create any individual income or sales tax liability;
20 . requires the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee to:
21 . study the possibility of establishing an alternative form of legal tender;
22 . recommend whether an alternative form of legal tender should be established;
23 and
24 . prepare any recommended legislation for the 2012 General Session; and
25 . enacts an uncodified severability clause.
26 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27 None

28 Other Special Clauses:
29 None
30 Utah Code Sections Affected:
31 ENACTS:
32 59-1-1501, Utah Code Annotated 1953
33 59-1-1502, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34 59-1-1503, Utah Code Annotated 1953
35 59-1-1504, Utah Code Annotated 1953
36 59-10-1025, Utah Code Annotated 1953
37 Uncodified Material Affected:
38 ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
39
40 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
41 Section 1. Section 59-1-1501 is enacted to read:
42 Part 15. Legal Tender Act
43 59-1-1501. Title.
44 This part is known as the "Legal Tender Act."
45 Section 2. Section 59-1-1502 is enacted to read:
46 59-1-1502. Gold and silver coin.
47 (1) Gold and silver coin issued and deemed legal tender by the federal government is
48 legal tender in the state.
49 (2) A person may not compel any other person to tender or accept gold and silver coin
50 that is issued and deemed legal tender by the federal government.
51 Section 3. Section 59-1-1503 is enacted to read:
52 59-1-1503. Nonrefundable credit -- Sales tax exemption.
53 (1) There is a nonrefundable credit established for any capital gains incurred from the
54 exchange of gold and silver coin issued and deemed legal tender by the federal government for
55 another form of legal tender as provided in Section 59-10-1025 .
56 (2) The exchange of gold and silver coin issued and deemed legal tender by the federal
57 government for another form of legal tender is exempt from sales and use taxes as provided in
58 Subsection 59-12-104 (50).

59 Section 4. Section 59-1-1504 is enacted to read:
60 59-1-1504. Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee study.
61 The Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee shall during the 2011 interim:
62 (1) study the possibility of establishing an alternative form of legal tender for the
63 payment of debts, public charges, taxes, and dues within the state;
64 (2) recommend whether legislation should be drafted to establish an alternative form of
65 legal tender; and
66 (3) prepare any legislation that the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee
67 recommends in accordance with Subsection (2) for consideration by the Legislature during the
68 2012 General Session.
69 Section 5. Section 59-10-1025 is enacted to read:
70 59-10-1025. Nonrefundable tax credit for capital gain transactions on the
71 exchange of gold and silver coin for another form of legal tender.
72 (1) As used in this section:
73 (a) "Capital gain transaction" means a transaction that results in a:
74 (i) short-term capital gain; or
75 (ii) long-term capital gain.
76 (b) "Long-term capital gain" is as defined in Section 1222, Internal Revenue Code.
77 (c) "Short-term capital gain" is as defined in Section 1222, Internal Revenue Code.
78 (2) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, a claimant, estate, or trust
79 may claim a nonrefundable tax credit equal to the product of:
80 (a) the total amount of the claimant's, estate's, or trust's short-term capital gain or
81 long-term capital gain on a capital gain transaction from an exchange made on or after January
82 1, 2012, of gold or silver coin issued and deemed legal tender by the federal government for
83 another form of legal tender; and
84 (b) 5%.
85 (3) A claimant, estate, or trust may not carry forward or carry back a tax credit under
86 this section.
87 (4) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
88 commission may make rules to implement this section.
89 Section 6. Severability clause.

90 If any section of this bill or the application of any section of this bill to any person or
91 circumstance is held invalid by a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, the
92 remainder of this bill shall be given effect without the invalid section or application. The
93 provisions of this bill are severable.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-22-11 11:12 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel