SB480: Bill Text

2007 Senate BILL 480

February 12, 2008 - Introduced by Senators Lassa, Sullivan, Roessler, Vinehout, Darling and Kapanke, cosponsored by Representatives Strachota, Jeskewitz, Vos, A. Ott, Townsend, Kleefisch, Ballweg, Hahn and Mursau. Referred to Committee on Economic Development.

SB480,2,6 An Act to repeal 49.149 (4), 234.63, 560.605 (2m) (g) and 560.605 (7) (b) 5.; to renumber 71.30 (3) (em), 71.30 (3) (emb), 71.30 (3) (en), 71.30 (3) (eo), 71.30 (3) (eom), 71.49 (1) (em), 71.49 (1) (emb), 71.49 (1) (en), 71.49 (1) (eo) and 71.49 (1) (eom); to renumber and amend 560.70 (2m) and 560.7995 (4) (b); to amend 13.94 (4) (a) 1., 71.05 (6) (a) 15., 71.08 (1) (intro.), 71.21 (4), 71.26 (2) (a), 71.34 (1) (g), 71.45 (2) (a) 10., 76.67 (2), 77.92 (4), 234.03 (2m), 234.03 (11), 234.08 (1), 234.265 (2), 234.40 (4), 234.50 (4), 234.60 (2), 234.61 (1), 234.66 (3) (b), 560.70 (7) (a), 560.74 (1), 560.745 (1) (b), 560.745 (2) (am), 560.78 (3) (a), 560.797 (2) (a) (intro.), 560.797 (2) (bg) (intro.), 560.797 (4) (a), 560.798 (2) (a), 560.798 (3) (a), 560.7995 (2) (a) (intro.), 560.84 (2) (c) 2., 560.96 (2) (a) and 560.96 (3) (a) (intro.); to repeal and recreate subchapter VI (title) of chapter 560 [precedes s. 560.70]; and to create 13.94 (1) (ms), 71.07 (2dy), 71.10 (4) (gv), 71.28 (1dy), 71.30 (3) (ema), 71.47 (1dy), 71.49 (1) (ema), 76.637, 560.01 (2) (am), 560.70 (2g), 560.70 (2m) (b), 560.70 (4m), 560.70 (7) (d), 560.701, 560.702, 560.703, 560.704, 560.705, 560.706, 560.71 (4), 560.737 (4), 560.74 (6), 560.78 (1m), 560.78 (3) (c), 560.797 (2) (e), 560.797 (3) (c), 560.797 (4) (h), 560.798 (2) (c), 560.798 (3) (c), 560.7995 (2) (d), 560.7995 (4) (am), 560.7995 (4) (b) 2., 560.96 (2) (c) and 560.96 (3) (e) of the statutes; relating to: changes to economic development tax benefit programs, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Consolidation of economic development zone programs

Under current law, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) may designate a portion of the state as a development zone, a development opportunity zone, an enterprise development zone, an agricultural development zone, an enterprise zone, an airport development zone, or a technology zone. Commerce may also certify persons who agree to undertake certain eligible activities in one of the designated zones. Eligible activities include job creation, environmental remediation, and capital investment. Persons who obtain certification are then eligible for tax benefits.

This bill consolidates the development zones, enterprise development zones, agricultural development zones, technology zones, and airport development zones (five development zone programs) into a program that awards tax benefits to persons who enter into a contract with Commerce to undertake eligible activities anywhere in the state. Eligible activities under the bill include all of the following:

1. Job creation projects that result in the creation and maintenance of jobs paying wages and providing benefits at a level approved by Commerce.

2. Projects that involve a significant investment of capital, as determined by Commerce by rule, by the person in new equipment, machinery, real property, or depreciable personal property.

3. Projects that involve significant investments in the training or reeducation of employees for the purpose of improving the productivity or competitiveness of the business of the person.

4. Projects that will result in the location or retention of a person's corporate headquarters in Wisconsin or that will result in the retention of employees if the person's corporate headquarters are located in Wisconsin.

Commerce may allocate tax benefits under the consolidated program up to the total amount remaining to be allocated under the five development zone programs on the effective date of this bill. Tax benefits are awarded under the bill only after the person has verified to Commerce that the person has met the performance obligations established under the contract.

The value of tax benefits for which a person is eligible under the new tax credit program depends on the number of jobs created by the person, the amount of the capital investment made by the person, the amount of training or reeducation provided to the employees of a person, or the number of jobs retained by the person having its corporate headquarters located in Wisconsin.

Under the bill, Commerce may award additional tax benefits to a person that conducts eligible activities in an economically distressed area or if the eligible activities benefit members of a target group. The department is required by the bill to define "economically distressed area." The bill defines "member of a target group" as a person who resides in an area designated by the federal government as an economic revitalization area, a person who is employed in an unsubsidized job but meets certain eligibility requirements for a Wisconsin Works employment position, a person who is employed in a trial job or in a real work real pay project position, a person who is eligible for child care assistance, a person who is a vocational rehabilitation referral, an economically disadvantaged youth, an economically disadvantaged veteran, a supplemental security income recipient, a general assistance recipient, an economically disadvantaged ex-convict, a dislocated worker, as defined under federal law, or a food stamp recipient, if the person has been certified by a designated local agency.

Changes to reporting requirements

Under current law, Commerce must submit a biennial report to the legislature on the performance and operations of Commerce in the preceding biennium.

The bill requires Commerce to annually submit a comprehensive report assessing economic development programs administered by Commerce to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and to the appropriate standing committees of the assembly and the senate. The comprehensive annual report must include information about the number of grants and loans made by Commerce in each year; the amount of each grant and loan; the name of the recipient of each grant and loan; and the sum total of all grants and loans received by each recipient. Commerce must make the reported information available to the public via the Internet.

Audit by the Legislative Audit Bureau

The bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to prepare a financial and program evaluation audit of the consolidated economic development tax benefit program created by the bill no later than July 1, 2012.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB480, s. 1 Section 1. 13.94 (1) (ms) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,4,4 13.94 (1) (ms) No later than July 1, 2012, prepare a financial and performance evaluation audit of the economic development tax benefit program under ss. 560.701 to 560.706. The legislative audit bureau shall file a copy of the report of the audit under this paragraph with the distributees specified in par. (b).

SB480, s. 2 Section 2. 13.94 (4) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB480,4,21 13.94 (4) (a) 1. Every state department, board, examining board, affiliated credentialing board, commission, independent agency, council or office in the executive branch of state government; all bodies created by the legislature in the legislative or judicial branch of state government; any public body corporate and politic created by the legislature including specifically the Fox River Navigational System Authority and the Wisconsin Aerospace Authority, a professional baseball park district, a local professional football stadium district, a local cultural arts district and a family care district under s. 46.2895; every Wisconsin works agency under subch. III of ch. 49; every provider of medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49; technical college district boards; development zones designated under s. 560.71; every county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437; every nonprofit corporation or cooperative or unincorporated cooperative association to which moneys are specifically appropriated by state law; and every corporation, institution, association or other organization which receives more than 50% of its annual budget from appropriations made by state law, including subgrantee or subcontractor recipients of such funds.

SB480, s. 3 Section 3. 49.149 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

SB480, s. 4 Section 4. 71.05 (6) (a) 15. of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB480,5,6 71.05 (6) (a) 15. The amount of the credits computed under s. 71.07 (2dd), (2de), (2di), (2dj), (2dL), (2dm), (2dr), (2ds), (2dx), (2dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3p), (3s), (3t), (3w), (5e), (5f), (5h), (5i), (5j), and (5k) and not passed through by a partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the partnership's, company's, or tax-option corporation's income under s. 71.21 (4) or 71.34 (1) (g).

SB480, s. 5 Section 5. 71.07 (2dy) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,5,10 71.07 (2dy) Economic development tax credit. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.

SB480,5,14 (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.02, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.

SB480,5,18 (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).

SB480,6,2 2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.

SB480,6,5 (d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., section 71.28 (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480,6,14 2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.02 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.

SB480,6,16 3. Section 71.28 (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480, s. 6 Section 6. 71.08 (1) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB480,7,3 71.08 (1) Imposition. (intro.) If the tax imposed on a natural person, married couple filing jointly, trust, or estate under s. 71.02, not considering the credits under ss. 71.07 (1), (2dd), (2de), (2di), (2dj), (2dL), (2dr), (2ds), (2dx), (2dy), (2fd), (3m), (3n), (3p), (3s), (3t), (3w), (5b), (5d), (5e), (6), (6e), and (9e), 71.28 (1dd), (1de), (1di), (1dj), (1dL), (1ds), (1dx), (1dy), (1fd), (2m), (3), (3n), (3t), and (3w), and 71.47 (1dd), (1de), (1di), (1dj), (1dL), (1ds), (1dx), (1dy), (1fd), (2m), (3), (3n), (3t), and (3w), and subchs. VIII and IX and payments to other states under s. 71.07 (7), is less than the tax under this section, there is imposed on that natural person, married couple filing jointly, trust or estate, instead of the tax under s. 71.02, an alternative minimum tax computed as follows:

SB480, s. 7 Section 7. 71.10 (4) (gv) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,7,5 71.10 (4) (gv) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.07 (2dy).

SB480, s. 8 Section 8. 71.21 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB480,7,11 71.21 (4) Credits computed by a partnership under s. 71.07 (2dd), (2de), (2di), (2dj), (2dL), (2dm), (2ds), (2dx), (2dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3p), (3s), (3t), (3w), (5e), (5f), (5g), (5h), (5i), (5j), and (5k) and passed through to partners shall be added to the partnership's income.

SB480, s. 9 Section 9. 71.26 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB480,8,6 71.26 (2) (a) Corporations in general. The "net income" of a corporation means the gross income as computed under the Internal Revenue Code as modified under sub. (3) minus the amount of recapture under s. 71.28 (1di) plus the amount of credit computed under s. 71.28 (1), (3), (4), and (5) minus, as provided under s. 71.28 (3) (c) 7., the amount of the credit under s. 71.28 (3) that the taxpayer added to income under this paragraph at the time that the taxpayer first claimed the credit plus the amount of the credit computed under s. 71.28 (1dd), (1de), (1di), (1dj), (1dL), (1dm), (1ds), (1dx), (1dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3p), (3t), (3w), (5e), (5f), (5g), (5h), (5i), (5j), and (5k) and not passed through by a partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the partnership's, limited liability company's, or tax-option corporation's income under s. 71.21 (4) or 71.34 (1) (g) plus the amount of losses from the sale or other disposition of assets the gain from which would be wholly exempt income, as defined in sub. (3) (L), if the assets were sold or otherwise disposed of at a gain and minus deductions, as computed under the Internal Revenue Code as modified under sub. (3), plus or minus, as appropriate, an amount equal to the difference between the federal basis and Wisconsin basis of any asset sold, exchanged, abandoned, or otherwise disposed of in a taxable transaction during the taxable year, except as provided in par. (b) and s. 71.45 (2) and (5).

SB480, s. 10 Section 10. 71.28 (1dy) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,8,10 71.28 (1dy) Economic development tax credit. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.

SB480,8,14 (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.23, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.

SB480,8,18 (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).

SB480,9,2 2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.

SB480,9,4 (d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., sub. (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480,9,13 2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.23 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.

SB480,9,15 3. Subsection (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under sub. (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480, s. 11 Section 11. 71.30 (3) (em) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (eh).

SB480, s. 12 Section 12. 71.30 (3) (ema) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,9,18 71.30 (3) (ema) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.28 (1dy).

SB480, s. 13 Section 13. 71.30 (3) (emb) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ei).

SB480, s. 14 Section 14. 71.30 (3) (en) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ej).

SB480, s. 15 Section 15. 71.30 (3) (eo) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (ek).

SB480, s. 16 Section 16. 71.30 (3) (eom) of the statutes is renumbered 71.30 (3) (eL).

SB480, s. 17 Section 17. 71.34 (1) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB480,10,4 71.34 (1) (g) An addition shall be made for credits computed by a tax-option corporation under s. 71.28 (1dd), (1de), (1di), (1dj), (1dL), (1dm), (1ds), (1dx), (1dy), (3), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3p), (3t), (3w), (5e), (5f), (5g), (5h), (5i), (5j), and (5k) and passed through to shareholders.

SB480, s. 18 Section 18. 71.45 (2) (a) 10. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB480,10,11 71.45 (2) (a) 10. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of credit computed under s. 71.47 (1dd) to (1dx) (1dy), (3h), (3n), (3p), (3w), (5e), (5f), (5g), (5h), (5i), (5j), and (5k) and not passed through by a partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the partnership's, limited liability company's, or tax-option corporation's income under s. 71.21 (4) or 71.34 (1) (g) and the amount of credit computed under s. 71.47 (1), (3), (3t), (4), and (5).

SB480, s. 19 Section 19. 71.47 (1dy) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,10,15 71.47 (1dy) Economic development tax credit. (a) Definition. In this subsection, "claimant" means a person who files a claim under this subsection and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.

SB480,10,19 (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this subsection and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007, a claimant may claim as a credit against the tax imposed under s. 71.43, up to the amount of the tax, the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.

SB480,10,23 (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).

SB480,11,6 2. Partnerships, limited liability companies, and tax-option corporations may not claim the credit under this subsection, but the eligibility for, and the amount of, the credit are based on their authorization to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703. A partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation shall compute the amount of credit that each of its partners, members, or shareholders may claim and shall provide that information to each of them. Partners, members of limited liability companies, and shareholders of tax-option corporations may claim the credit in proportion to their ownership interests.

SB480,11,9 (d) Administration. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., section 71.28 (4) (e) and (f), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480,11,18 2. If a claimant's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if a claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the claimant may not claim credits under this subsection for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the claimant may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the tax imposed under s. 71.43 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the claimant becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.

SB480,11,20 3. Section 71.28 (4) (g) and (h), as it applies to the credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credit under this subsection.

SB480, s. 20 Section 20. 71.49 (1) (em) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (eh).

SB480, s. 21 Section 21. 71.49 (1) (ema) of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,11,23 71.49 (1) (ema) Economic development tax credit under s. 71.47 (1dy).

SB480, s. 22 Section 22. 71.49 (1) (emb) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ei).

SB480, s. 23 Section 23. 71.49 (1) (en) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ej).

SB480, s. 24 Section 24. 71.49 (1) (eo) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (ek).

SB480, s. 25 Section 25. 71.49 (1) (eom) of the statutes is renumbered 71.49 (1) (eL).

SB480, s. 26 Section 26. 76.637 of the statutes is created to read:

SB480,12,6 76.637 Economic development tax credit. (1) Definition. In this section, "claimant" means an insurer who files a claim under this section and is certified under s. 560.701 (2) and authorized to claim tax benefits under s. 560.703.

SB480,12,10 (2) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations under this section and ss. 560.701 to 560.706, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007, a claimant may claim as a credit against the fees due under s. 76.60, 76.63, 76.65, 76.66, or 76.67 the amount authorized for the claimant under s. 560.703.

SB480,12,14 (3) Limitations. No credit may be allowed under this section unless the insurer includes with the insurer's annual return under s. 76.64 a copy of the claimant's certification under s. 560.701 (2) and a copy of the claimant's notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits under s. 560.703 (3).

SB480,12,24 (4) Administration. If an insurer's certification is revoked under s. 560.705, or if an insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits under s. 560.702, the insurer may not claim credits under this section for the taxable year that includes the day on which the certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years and the insurer may not carry over unused credits from previous years to offset the fees imposed under ss. 76.60, 76.63, 76.65, 76.66, or 76.67 for the taxable year that includes the day on which certification is revoked; the taxable year that includes the day on which the insurer becomes ineligible for tax benefits; or succeeding taxable years.

SB480, s. 27 Section 27. 76.67 (2) of the statutes is amended to read: