January 22, 2008, Introduced by Senators KAHN, BIRKHOLZ, RICHARDVILLE, STAMAS, BISHOP, SANBORN, ANDERSON, BASHAM, ALLEN, HARDIMAN, SWITALSKI, JANSEN and KUIPERS and referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities.
A bill to amend 1967 PA 281, entitled
"Income tax act of 1967,"
(MCL 206.1 to 206.532) by adding section 253.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 253. (1) For tax years that begin after December 31,
2008, a taxpayer may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this
act equal to the difference between the cost the taxpayer paid to
supply electricity to his or her home under a qualified energy
program and the cost the taxpayer would have paid to supply
electricity to his or her home if the taxpayer had not participated
in the qualified energy program, not to exceed $200.00 per tax
year.
(2) If the amount of the credit allowed under this section
exceeds the tax liability of the taxpayer for the tax year, that
portion of the credit that exceeds the tax liability shall not be
refunded.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on the energy
billing statement that is sent to the taxpayer in March of each
year, the utility provider that provides a qualified energy program
shall provide both of the following amounts to each taxpayer that
participates in the utility's qualified energy program:
(a) The energy costs paid in the immediately preceding
calendar year under the qualified energy program.
(b) The energy costs the taxpayer would have paid in the
immediately preceding calendar year if the taxpayer had not
participated in a qualified energy program.
(4) As used in this section:
(a) "Home" means a principal residence exempt under section
7cc of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.7cc.
(b) "Qualified energy program" means a green energy program
approved by the Michigan public service commission and certified by
a nationally recognized, independent, credible third party
organization that verifies both of the following:
(i) The green energy program meets certain marketing standards
established by the organization.
(ii) The electricity sold under the program is generated from a
renewable energy resource and its generation meets certain
environmental standards.