SB21: Bill Text

SB21,1492,18 (2) (a) The corporation authority may certify a person who submits an application under sub. (1) if, after conducting an investigation, the corporation authority determines that the person is conducting or intends to conduct at least one eligible activity.

SB21,1492,20 (b) The corporation authority shall provide a person certified under this section and the department of revenue with a copy of the certification.

SB21,1492,23 (3) Contract. (intro.) A person certified under this section shall enter into a written contract with the corporation authority. The contract shall include provisions that detail all of the following:

SB21,1493,3 (b) Whether any of the eligible activities will occur in an economically distressed area, as designated by the corporation authority under s. 238.304 235.304 (1).

SB21,1493,5 (c) Whether any of the eligible activities will benefit members of a targeted group, as determined by the corporation authority under s. 238.304 235.304 (2).

SB21,1493,8 (d) A compliance schedule that includes a sequence of anticipated actions to be taken or goals to be achieved by the person before the person may receive tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303.

SB21,1493,10 (f) If feasible, a determination of the tax benefits the person will be authorized to claim under s. 238.303 235.303 (2) if the person fulfills the terms of the contract.

SB21,4003 Section 4003. 238.302 of the statutes is renumbered 235.302, and 235.302 (intro.), (1), (2) and (3), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1493,14 235.302 Eligible activities. (intro.) A person who conducts or proposes to conduct any of the following may be certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2):

SB21,1493,17 (1) A project that creates and maintains for a period of time established by the corporation by rule authority full-time jobs in addition to any existing full-time jobs provided by the person.

SB21,1493,20 (2) A project that involves a significant investment of capital, as defined by the corporation by rule authority under s. 238.306 235.306 (2) (b), by the person in new equipment, machinery, real property, or depreciable personal property.

SB21,1493,24 (3) A project that involves significant investments in the training or reeducation of employees, as defined by the corporation by rule authority under s. 238.306 235.306 (2) (c), by the person for the purpose of improving the productivity or competitiveness of the business of the person.

SB21,4004 Section 4004. 238.303 of the statutes is renumbered 235.303, and 235.303 (1) (a), (am) and (b), (2) and (3), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1494,9 235.303 (1) (a) Except as provided in pars. (am) and (b), and subject to a reallocation by the corporation pursuant to rules adopted authority under s. 238.15 235.15 (3) (d), the total tax benefits available to be allocated by the corporation authority under ss. 238.301 to 238.306 235.301 to 235.306 may not exceed the sum of the tax benefits remaining to be allocated under s. 560.71 to 560.785, 2009 stats., s. 560.797, 2009 stats., s. 560.798, 2009 stats., s. 560.7995, 2009 stats., and s. 560.96, 2009 stats., on March 6, 2009, plus $100,000,000.

SB21,1494,23 (am) The corporation authority may initially allocate only $61,000,000 of the additional $100,000,000 in tax benefits specified in par. (a). Before the corporation authority allocates the remaining $39,000,000 in tax benefits specified in par. (a), the corporation authority shall submit its plan for such allocation, including a report that describes the intended use of the tax benefits, to the joint committee on finance. If the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the corporation authority within 14 working days after the date of the corporation's authority's submittal that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the plan, the plan may be implemented and the remaining amount may be allocated as proposed by the corporation authority. If, within 14 working days after the date of the corporation's authority's submittal, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the corporation authority that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the proposed plan, the plan may be implemented and the remaining amount allocated only upon approval of the committee.

SB21,1495,4 (b) The corporation authority may submit to the joint committee on finance a request in writing to exceed the total tax benefits specified in par. (a). The corporation authority shall submit with its request a justification for seeking an increase under this paragraph. The joint committee on finance, following its review, may approve or disapprove an increase in the total tax benefits available to be allocated under ss. 238.301 to 238.306 235.301 to 235.306.

SB21,1495,10 (2) Authority to claim tax benefits. The corporation authority may authorize a person certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) to claim tax benefits only after the person has submitted a report to the corporation authority that documents to the satisfaction of the corporation authority that the person has complied with the terms of the contract under s. 238.301 235.301 (3) and the requirements of any applicable rules policies and procedures adopted under s. 238.306 235.306 (2).

SB21,1495,13 (3) Notice of eligibility. The corporation authority shall provide to the person and to the department of revenue a notice of eligibility to receive tax benefits that reports the amount of tax benefits for which the person is eligible.

SB21,4005 Section 4005. 238.303 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB21,1495,21 238.303 (1) (a) Except as provided in pars. (am) and (b), and subject to a reallocation by the corporation pursuant to rules adopted under s. 238.15 (3) (d), the total tax benefits available to be allocated by the corporation under ss. 238.301 to 238.306 may not exceed the sum of the tax benefits remaining to be allocated under s. 560.71 to 560.785, 2009 stats., s. 560.797, 2009 stats., s. 560.798, 2009 stats., s. 560.7995, 2009 stats., and s. 560.96, 2009 stats., on March 6, 2009, plus $100,000,000.

SB21,4006 Section 4006. 238.303 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB21,1495,24 238.303 (4) Sunset. No tax benefits may be awarded under ss. 238.301 to 238.306 after June 30, 2015.

SB21,4007 Section 4007. 238.304 of the statutes is renumbered 235.304, and 235.304 (intro.) and (1), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1496,7 235.304 Eligible activities in economically distressed areas and benefiting members of targeted groups. (intro.) The corporation authority may authorize a person certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) to claim additional tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303 if, after conducting an investigation, the corporation authority determines any of the following:

SB21,1496,11 (1) The person conducts at least one eligible activity in an area designated by the corporation authority as economically distressed. In designating an area as economically distressed under this subsection, the corporation authority shall follow the methodology established by rule under s. 238.306 235.306 (2) (e).

SB21,4008 Section 4008. 238.3045 of the statutes is renumbered 235.3045, and 235.3045 (1) (title), (a), (b) (intro.) and 4. and (c) 1., (2) (a) and (b), (3) and (4) (a) and (b), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1496,25 235.3045 (1) (title) Application and corporation approval. (a) An applicant for certification for tax benefits under s. 238.301 235.301 may submit with its application under s. 238.301 235.301 (1) an application to the corporation authority on a form prescribed by the corporation authority to transfer those tax benefits to another person under this section. The application shall include the name, address, and tax identification number of the person to whom the applicant intends to transfer the tax benefits and any other information the corporation authority requires. The corporation authority shall notify the applicant of the corporation's authority's determination concerning the transfer of tax benefits when the corporation authority notifies the applicant of the corporation's authority's certification determination under s. 238.301 235.301.

SB21,1497,4 (b) (intro.) The corporation authority may approve the transfer of tax benefits under this section if the corporation authority certifies the applicant under par. (a) for tax benefits under s. 238.301 235.301 and finds that the applicant meets at least one of the following conditions:

SB21,1497,7 4. Intends to expand its operations in this state, and that expansion will result in the applicant making a significant capital investment in property located in this state, as determined by the corporation authority.

SB21,1497,16 (c) 1. Subject to subd. 2., a person that receives an approval under par. (b) shall transfer tax benefits in accordance with the terms of the application under par. (a) after the corporation authority authorizes the person to claim tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303 (2) and provides the notice of eligibility under s. 238.303 235.303 (3). The notice of eligibility shall contain all relevant information concerning a transfer of tax benefits under this section. The person to whom tax benefits are transferred may carry forward, beginning on the date of the notice of eligibility, any unused amount of the value of those tax benefits as provided under the appropriate provision in ch. 71 or in s. 76.636.

SB21,1497,21 (2) (a) If the corporation authority revokes a person's certification for tax benefits under s. 238.305 235.305, and, at the time of revocation, that person has transferred those tax benefits under this section, that person shall be liable for the full value of the tax benefits, and the person to whom the tax benefits were transferred may not claim any tax benefits that were not claimed prior to revocation.

SB21,1497,24 (b) The corporation authority shall notify the department of revenue of a revocation of tax benefits subject to par. (a), including the value of the tax benefits for which the person is liable.

SB21,1498,3 (3) Annual report. Annually, the corporation authority shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance that provides a detailed assessment of the progress to date of the program under this section.

SB21,1498,7 (4) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the corporation authority may not authorize the transfer of tax benefits under this section that total more than $15,000,000, and the corporation authority may not authorize the transfer of tax benefits after 36 months after April 4, 2014.

SB21,1499,3 (b) Upon expiration of the 36-month period under par. (a), the corporation authority may continue to authorize the transfer of tax benefits under this section for up to an additional 36 months, and the corporation authority may authorize the transfer of up to an additional $15,000,000 in tax benefits, if the corporation authority determines that a continuation of the program under this section will promote significant economic development in this state. Before the corporation authority authorizes the transfer of tax benefits under this paragraph, the chief executive officer of the corporation authority shall notify the joint committee on finance in writing that the corporation authority intends to continue authorizing the transfer of tax benefits under this section. That notice shall state the reasons supporting the corporation's authority's determination that the transfer of additional tax benefits will promote significant economic development in this state. If, within 14 working days after the date of that notice, the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the corporation authority that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the corporation's authority's proposed continuation of the program, the corporation authority may proceed to authorize the transfer of additional tax benefits under this section. If, within 14 working days after the date of that notice, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the corporation authority that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the proposed continuation of the program, the corporation authority may proceed to authorize the transfer of additional tax benefits only upon approval of the committee.

SB21,4009 Section 4009. 238.305 of the statutes is renumbered 235.305, and 235.305 (intro.), (1) and (2), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1499,7 235.305 Revocation of certification. (intro.) The corporation authority shall revoke the certification of a person who does any of the following:

SB21,1499,9 (1) Supplies false or misleading information to obtain certification under s. 238.301 235.301 (2).

SB21,1499,11 (2) Supplies false or misleading information to obtain tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303.

SB21,4010 Section 4010. 238.306 of the statutes is renumbered 235.306, and 235.306 (intro.), (1) (a) and (b), (2) (intro.), (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) (intro.), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (k) and (3), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1499,16 235.306 Responsibilities of the corporation authority. (intro.) The corporation authority shall do all of the following:

SB21,1499,19 (1) (a) Annually verify information submitted to the department of revenue under ss. 71.07 (2dy), 71.28 (1dy), 71.47 (1dy), and 76.637 by persons certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and eligible to receive tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303.

SB21,1499,21 (b) Notify and obtain written approval from the chief executive officer of the corporation authority for any certification under sub. (2) (j).

SB21,1499,23 (2) Rules Policies and procedures. (intro.) Establish by rule policies and procedures all of the following:

SB21,1500,2 (a) A schedule of hourly wage ranges to be paid, and health insurance benefits to be provided, to an employee by a person certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and the corresponding per employee tax benefit for which a person certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) may be eligible.

SB21,1500,8 (b) A definition of "significant investment of capital" for purposes of s. 238.302 235.302 (2), together with a corresponding schedule of tax benefits for which a person who is certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and who conducts a project described in s. 238.302 235.302 (2) may be eligible. The corporation authority shall include in the definition required under this paragraph a schedule of investments that takes into consideration the size or nature of the business.

SB21,1500,12 (c) A definition of "significant investments in the training or reeducation of employees" for purposes of s. 238.302 235.302 (3), together with a corresponding schedule of tax benefits for which a person who is certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and who conducts a project under s. 238.302 235.302 (3) may be eligible.

SB21,1500,15 (d) A schedule of tax benefits for which a person who is certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and who conducts a project that will result in the location or retention of a person's corporate headquarters in Wisconsin may be eligible.

SB21,1500,19 (e) (intro.) The methodology for designating an area as economically distressed under s. 238.304 235.304 (1). The methodology under this paragraph shall require the corporation authority to consider the most current data available for the area and for the state on the following indicators:

SB21,1500,22 (f) A schedule of additional tax benefits for which a person who is certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) and who conducts an eligible activity described under s. 238.304 235.304 may be eligible.

SB21,1500,25 (g) Reporting requirements, minimum benchmarks, and outcomes expected of a person certified under s. 238.301 235.301 (2) before that person may receive tax benefits under s. 238.303 235.303.

SB21,1501,2 (h) Policies, criteria, and methodology for allocating a portion of the tax benefits available under s. 238.303 235.303 to rural areas.

SB21,1501,4 (i) Policies, criteria, and methodology for allocating a portion of the tax benefits available under s. 238.303 235.303 to small businesses.

SB21,1501,5 (k) Procedures for implementing ss. 238.301 to 238.306 235.301 to 235.306.

SB21,1501,11 (3) Reporting. Annually, 6 months after the report has been submitted under s. 238.07 235.016 (2), submit to the joint legislative audit committee and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) a comprehensive report assessing the program under ss. 238.301 to 238.306 235.301 to 235.306. The report under this subsection shall update the applicable information provided in the report under s. 238.07 235.016 (2).

SB21,4011 Section 4011. 238.31 of the statutes is renumbered 235.31, and 235.31 (1) (intro.), (ac), (am), (b), (d) and (e) (intro.), 4. a. and d., (1m) (intro.) and (h), (2) and (3) (intro.), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1501,16 235.31 (1) (intro.) The corporation authority may designate an area as a development zone if all of the following apply:

SB21,1501,18 (ac) The corporation authority has invited a local governing body to nominate the area under s. 238.315 235.315.

SB21,1501,20 (am) A local governing body nominates the area as described in s. 238.32 235.32.

SB21,1501,22 (b) The corporation authority has evaluated the local governing body's application as described in s. 238.325 235.325.

SB21,1501,23 (d) The area meets the applicable requirements under s. 238.335 235.335.

SB21,1501,24 (e) (intro.) The corporation authority determines all of the following:

SB21,1502,3 4. a. The unemployment rate in the area is higher than the state average for the 18 months immediately preceding the date on which the application under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) or (3) was submitted to the corporation authority.

SB21,1502,7 d. In the 36 months immediately preceding the date on which the application under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) or (3) was submitted to the corporation authority, a number of workers in the area were permanently laid off by their employer or became unemployed as a result of a business action subject to s. 109.07 (1m).

SB21,1502,9 (1m) (intro.) In making a determination under sub. (1) (e), the corporation authority shall consider all of the following:

SB21,1502,10 (h) Any other factors that the corporation authority considers relevant.

SB21,1502,13 (2) In determining whether an area meets the requirements under sub. (1) (e) or s. 238.335 235.335, the corporation authority may rely on any data provided by the local governing body that the corporation authority determines is relevant.

SB21,1502,14 (3) (intro.) The corporation authority shall do all of the following:

SB21,4012 Section 4012. 238.315 of the statutes is renumbered 235.315 and amended to read:

SB21,1502,20 235.315 Invitation to nominate area. If the corporation authority determines that an area has experienced or is about to experience economic distress, the corporation authority may invite local governing bodies in the area to nominate the area as a development zone.

SB21,4013 Section 4013. 238.32 of the statutes is renumbered 235.32, and 235.32 (1) (intro.), (2) (intro.), (c), (d) and (i), (3) and (5), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1503,2 235.32 (1) (intro.) A local governing body may nominate an area as a development zone, if the corporation authority has invited the governing body to nominate the area under s. 238.315 235.315 and if the governing body does all of the following:

SB21,1503,5 (2) (intro.) A local governing body may nominate the area as a development zone by submitting an application to the corporation authority in a form prescribed by the corporation authority. The application shall include all of the following:

SB21,1503,7 (c) Evidence that the area meets at least 3 of the criteria under s. 238.31 235.31 (1) (e) 4.

SB21,1503,9 (d) Evidence that the area meets the applicable requirements of s. 238.335 235.335.

SB21,1503,10 (i) Any other information required by the corporation authority.

SB21,1503,13 (3) Two or more local governing bodies may submit a joint application nominating an area as a development zone, subject to s. 238.335 235.335 (2), if each local governing body complies with subs. (1) and (2).

SB21,1503,15 (5) The corporation authority may permit a local governing body to revise an application that the corporation authority determines is inadequate or incomplete.

SB21,4014 Section 4014. 238.325 of the statutes is renumbered 235.325 and amended to read:

SB21,1503,19 235.325 Evaluation by corporation authority. (1) The corporation authority shall evaluate applications received under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) and (3).

SB21,1503,25 (2) Subject to s. 238.335 235.335 (5), the corporation authority may reduce the size of an area nominated as a development zone, if the corporation authority determines the boundaries as proposed by the local governing body in an application under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) or (3) are inconsistent with the purpose of the development zone program. Any nominated area which is reduced under this subsection need not comply with s. 238.335 235.335 (1) and (4).

SB21,1504,5 (3) After evaluating an application submitted under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) or (3), the corporation authority may approve the application, subject to any reduction in the size of the nominated area under sub. (2). If the corporation authority approves the application, the corporation authority shall designate the area as a development zone, subject to s. 238.31 235.31, and notify the local governing body.

SB21,4015 Section 4015. 238.335 of the statutes is renumbered 235.335, and 235.335 (6) (a) 2. and (c) and (7), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1504,9 235.335 (6) (a) 2. Each area meets at least 3 of the criteria listed in s. 238.31 235.31 (1) (e) 4.

SB21,1504,12 (c) If an application is submitted by the governing body of a county under s. 238.32 235.32 (2) or (3), up to 4 separate areas may be nominated or designated as one development zone, if par. (a) 1. to 3. applies.

SB21,1504,15 (7) The corporation authority may waive the requirements of this section in a particular case, if the corporation authority determines that application of the requirement is impractical with respect to a particular development zone.

SB21,4016 Section 4016. 238.34 of the statutes is renumbered 235.34, and 235.34 (1), (2), (3) (intro.) and (a), (4), (5) and (6), as renumbered, are amended to read:

SB21,1504,23 235.34 (1) Except as provided under sub. (6), at any time after a development zone is designated by the corporation authority, a local governing body may submit an application to change the boundaries of the development zone. If the boundary change reduces the size of a development zone, the local governing body shall explain why the area excluded should no longer be in a development zone. The corporation authority may require the local governing body to submit additional information.

SB21,1505,2 (2) The corporation authority may approve an application for a boundary change if the development zone, as affected by the boundary changes, meets the applicable requirements of s. 238.335 235.335 and 3 of the criteria under s. 238.31 235.31 (1) (e) 4.