AB208: Bill Text

AB208,20,2 (2) Application; development plan. (a) The local governing bodies of one or more political subdivisions may apply to the department for designation of an area as a rural enterprise development zone, if the proposed zone includes land within the boundaries of the political subdivision or political subdivisions applying for designation. An application shall include a development plan under par. (b).

AB208,20,3 (b) A development plan shall include all of the following:

AB208,20,6 1. A map of the proposed zone that shows the physical boundaries of the proposed zone, the size of the zone in acres, and the present uses and condition of land and structures in the proposed zone.

AB208,20,8 2. Evidence of support in the proposed zone for the proposed designation, including support from local government, the public, and business groups.

AB208,20,12 3. A description of the applicant's or applicants' goals for, and proposed methods for achieving, increased economic opportunity and expansion, infrastructure improvements, reduced regulatory burdens, and increased job training opportunities in the proposed zone.

AB208,20,16 4. A description of current social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the proposed zone and of the anticipated improvements in health, human services, and employment that would result from designation as a rural enterprise development zone.

AB208,20,18 5. A description of anticipated economic and other activity in the proposed zone, including industrial uses, commercial or retail uses, and residential uses.

AB208,20,20 6. A proposal as to the time period in which the designation would remain in effect.

AB208,20,25 (3) Designation of rural enterprise development zones; criteria. (a) The department may, upon applications by a political subdivision or political subdivisions, designate not more than 10 rural enterprise development zones. The department may designate an area as a rural enterprise development zone if all of the following apply:

AB208,21,1 1. The area does not exceed 5,000 acres.

AB208,21,3 2. The area does not include any part of a city of the first class or a city with a population greater than 200,000.

AB208,21,5 (b) In determining whether to grant an application to designate an area under par. (a), the department shall consider all of the following:

AB208,21,9 1. Indicators of the area's economic need, which may include data regarding household income, average wages, the condition of property, housing values, population decline, job losses, infrastructure and energy support, and the rate of business development.

AB208,21,18 2. Indicators of the likelihood of success in achieving the goals under sub. (2) (b) 3., which may include the strength and viability of the development plan; the level of creativity and innovation reflected in the development plan; the strength of support for the proposal in the proposed zone; the existing resources available to the area; the effect of designation on other initiatives and programs to promote economic and community development in the area, including regional initiatives and programs; the extent to which designation will ease regulatory burdens; the extent to which the development plan links job creation and job training; and the extent to which the development plan focuses on creating high-paying jobs.

AB208,21,21 (c) The department shall, to the extent possible, give preference to applications in which the areas proposed for designation have the lowest population densities and have, according to the indicators under par. (b) 1., the greatest economic need.

AB208,21,23 (4) Time limits; reporting. (a) A designation under sub. (3) may remain in effect for no more than 12 years.

AB208,22,6 (b) If the department designates an area as a rural enterprise development zone under sub. (3), the governing body or bodies of the political subdivision or political subdivisions that applied for designation shall, during the time that the designation is in effect, annually submit a report to the department, in a form and at a time prescribed by the department, describing the political subdivision's or political subdivisions' progress in meeting the goals contained in the development plan under sub. (2) (b) 3., and any additional information required by the department.

AB208,22,8 (5) Certification. The department may certify for tax benefits any of the following:

AB208,22,9 (a) A business that begins operations in a rural enterprise development zone.

AB208,22,11 (b) A business that relocates to a rural enterprise development zone from outside this state.

AB208,22,13 (c) A business that relocates to a rural enterprise development zone from another location in this state, but only if any of the following apply:

AB208,22,17 1. The business will increase the number of full-time employees employed in the rural enterprise development zone by at least 10 percent, and the business enters into an agreement with the department to claim tax benefits only for years during which the business maintains the increased level of employment.

AB208,22,22 2. The business makes a capital investment in property located in the rural enterprise development zone and the value of the capital investment is equal to at least 10 percent of the business's gross revenues in the preceding tax year, and the business enters into an agreement with the department to claim tax benefits only for years during which the business maintains the capital investment.

AB208,22,25 (6) Other duties. (a) The department of commerce shall notify the department of revenue when the department of commerce certifies a business to receive tax benefits.

AB208,23,2 (b) The department shall revoke a certification under sub. (5) if the business does any of the following:

AB208,23,3 1. Supplies false or misleading information to obtain tax benefits.

AB208,23,5 2. Leaves the rural enterprise development zone to conduct substantially the same business outside of the rural enterprise development zone.

AB208,23,8 3. Ceases operations in the rural enterprise development zone and does not renew operation of the business or a similar business in the rural enterprise development zone within 12 months.

AB208,23,10 (c) The department of commerce shall notify the department of revenue within 30 days of a revocation under par. (b).

AB208,23,13 (d) The department may require a business to repay any tax benefits the business claims for a year in which the business failed to maintain employment or capital investment levels required by an agreement under sub. (5) (c).

AB208,23,15 (e) The department annually shall verify information submitted to the department under s. 71.07 (3c), (3e), or (3w), 71.28 (3w), or 71.47 (3w).

AB208, s. 20 Section 20. Initial applicability.

AB208,23,22 (1) Individual income tax, capital gains tax credits. The treatment of section 71.07 (3c) and (3e) of the statutes first applies to taxable years beginning on January 1 of the year in which this subsection takes effect, except that if this subsection takes effect after July 31 the treatment of section 71.07 (3c) and (3e) of the statutes first applies to taxable years beginning on January 1 of the year following the year in which this subsection takes effect.

AB208,24,3 (2) Corporate income and franchise tax credits. The treatment of sections 71.07 (3w), 71.28 (3w), and 71.47 (3w) of the statutes first applies to taxable years beginning on January 1 of the year in which this subsection takes effect, except that if this subsection takes effect after July 31 the treatment of sections 71.07 (3w), 71.28 (3w), and 71.47 (3w) of the statutes first applies to taxable years beginning on January 1 of the year following the year in which this subsection takes effect.

AB208,24,4 (End)