SB-1343, As Passed House, June 23, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE BILL No. 1343

 

 

May 20, 2010, Introduced by Senators STAMAS and ALLEN and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism.

 

 

 

     A bill to amend 2007 PA 36, entitled

 

"Michigan business tax act,"

 

by amending section 434 (MCL 208.1434), as amended by 2009 PA 240.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 434. (1) The Michigan economic growth authority is

 

authorized to enter into agreements to provide tax credits

 

available under this section to stimulate the domestic

 

commercialization and affordability of high-power energy batteries,

 

the lack of which today is limiting hybrid, plug-in hybrid battery-

 

electric, and fuel cell vehicle applications, and to help insure

 

that job growth from battery technology and commercial production

 

develops alongside advanced vehicle technology development and

 

renewable power generation initiatives both within and outside the


 

transportation sector.

 

     (2) Subject to the limitations provided under this section,

 

for tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2010 and end before

 

January 1, 2015, a taxpayer that has entered into an agreement with

 

the Michigan economic growth authority that provides that the

 

taxpayer will manufacture plug-in traction battery packs in this

 

state may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this act for

 

the manufacture of those plug-in traction battery packs as provided

 

in this section. The Michigan economic growth authority may enter

 

into more than 1 agreement under this section. However, the total

 

number of plug-in traction battery packs eligible for all credits

 

under all agreements allowed under this section shall not exceed

 

the number of plug-in traction battery packs eligible for a credit

 

as provided in this section and at least 1 agreement shall make

 

capital investments of not less than $200,000,000.00 not later than

 

December 31, 2012. A taxpayer shall not claim a credit under this

 

section for more than 3 years. The total of all credits allowed

 

under this section shall be as follows:

 

     (a) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2010 and ending

 

before January 1, 2012, $500.00 for an equivalent of 4 kilowatt

 

hours of battery capacity plus $125.00 for each kilowatt hour of

 

battery capacity in excess of 4 kilowatt hours of battery capacity

 

not to exceed $2,000.00 for each plug-in traction battery pack. The

 

total number of traction battery packs shall not exceed 20,000

 

plug-in traction battery pack units under this subdivision, and the

 

total amount of credits allowed under this subdivision shall not

 

exceed $40,000,000.00.


 

     (b) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2011 and ending

 

before January 1, 2013, $375.00 for an equivalent of 4 kilowatt

 

hours of battery capacity plus $93.75 for each kilowatt hour of

 

battery capacity in excess of 4 kilowatt hours of battery capacity

 

not to exceed $1,500.00 for each plug-in traction battery pack. The

 

total number of traction battery packs shall not exceed 40,000

 

plug-in traction battery pack units under this subdivision, and the

 

total amount of credits allowed under this subdivision shall not

 

exceed $43,000,000.00. A single taxpayer shall not claim a credit

 

for more than 25,000 plug-in traction battery pack units under this

 

subdivision. The number of battery pack units not used for credits

 

under subdivision (a) may be added to the total number of battery

 

pack units for which a credit is available under this subdivision,

 

and the credits for those units shall be calculated as described in

 

subdivision (a) and shall be in addition to the maximums allowed

 

for any 1 taxpayer under this subdivision or the total limits

 

allowed under this subdivision.

 

     (c) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2012 and ending

 

before January 1, 2014, $375.00 for an equivalent of 4 kilowatt

 

hours of battery capacity plus $93.75 for each kilowatt hour of

 

battery capacity in excess of 4 kilowatt hours not to exceed

 

$1,500.00 for each plug-in traction battery pack. The total number

 

of traction battery packs shall not exceed 40,000 plug-in traction

 

battery pack units under this subdivision, and the total amount of

 

credits allowed under this subdivision shall not exceed

 

$43,000,000.00. A single taxpayer shall not claim a credit for more

 

than 25,000 plug-in traction battery pack units under this


 

subdivision.

 

     (d) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2013 and ending

 

before January 1, 2015, $375.00 for an equivalent of 4 kilowatt

 

hours of battery capacity plus $93.75 for each kilowatt hour of

 

battery capacity in excess of 4 kilowatt hours not to exceed

 

$1,500.00 for each plug-in traction battery pack. The total number

 

of traction battery packs shall not exceed 25,000 plug-in traction

 

battery pack units under this subdivision, and the total amount of

 

credits allowed under this subdivision shall not exceed

 

$9,000,000.00.

 

     (3) For tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2012 and

 

subject to the limitations of this subsection, a taxpayer may claim

 

a credit of up to 75% of the qualified expenses for vehicle

 

engineering in this state to support battery integration,

 

prototyping, and launch expenses incurred for tax years that begin

 

on or after January 1, 2009 and end before January 1, 2014. This

 

credit shall not exceed $15,000,000.00 per year as agreed to and

 

certified by the Michigan economic growth authority. Any expenses

 

for which a credit is claimed under this subsection shall not be

 

included in costs and expenses used for credits available under

 

sections 403 and 405. The Michigan economic growth authority may

 

not authorize more than $135,000,000.00 in total credits to all

 

taxpayers under this subsection. To claim the credit under this

 

subsection, a taxpayer must manufacture a cumulative total of at

 

least 1,000 motor vehicles that would qualify for the credit under

 

section 30D of the internal revenue code and the credit shall be

 

available to the taxpayer only for the following percentages of the


 

total authorized annual expenses:

 

     (a) In a tax year in which the taxpayer has manufactured a

 

cumulative total of at least 1,000 motor vehicles and fewer than

 

2,000 motor vehicles that qualify for the credit under section 30D

 

of the internal revenue code, 20%.

 

     (b) In a tax year in which the taxpayer has manufactured a

 

cumulative total of at least 2,000 motor vehicles but fewer than

 

3,000 motor vehicles that qualify for the credit under section 30D

 

of the internal revenue code, 40%.

 

     (c) In a tax year in which the taxpayer has manufactured a

 

cumulative total of at least 3,000 motor vehicles but fewer than

 

4,000 motor vehicles that qualify for the credit under section 30D

 

of the internal revenue code, 60%.

 

     (d) In a tax year in which the taxpayer has manufactured a

 

cumulative total of at least 4,000 motor vehicles but fewer than

 

5,000 motor vehicles that qualify for the credit under section 30D

 

of the internal revenue code, 80%.

 

     (e) In a tax year in which the taxpayer has manufactured a

 

cumulative total of at least 5,000 motor vehicles that qualify for

 

the credit under section 30D of the internal revenue code, 100%.

 

     (4) For tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2012 and

 

end before January 1, 2015, a taxpayer that has entered into an

 

agreement with the Michigan economic growth authority that provides

 

that the taxpayer will increase its engineering activities in this

 

state for advanced automotive battery technologies may claim a

 

credit under this subsection. A taxpayer's qualified advanced

 

battery engineering expenses for advanced automotive battery


 

technologies shall exceed those expenses for the taxpayer's 2008

 

fiscal year to qualify for the credit under this subsection. The

 

Michigan economic growth authority may enter into not more than 1

 

agreement for advanced battery engineering credits, and the total

 

value of credits available under this subsection is limited to

 

$30,000,000.00. The credits under this subsection shall be allowed

 

as follows:

 

     (a) Up to 75% of the total dollar amount of the qualified

 

advanced battery engineering expenses of an authorized business

 

incurred during tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009 and

 

ending before January 1, 2014. The taxpayer must submit to the

 

Michigan economic growth authority an affidavit certifying the

 

amount of qualified advanced battery engineering expenses for each

 

year.

 

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a

 

taxpayer may claim no more than $10,000,000.00 in credits under

 

this subsection in any tax year.

 

     (c) The credits available under this subsection shall not be

 

allowed if the taxpayer claims credits under subsection (2) for

 

battery pack assembly for the tax year. Notwithstanding this

 

limitation, the credits available under this subsection are in

 

addition to any other incentives which may be authorized under the

 

Michigan economic growth authority act, 1995 PA 24, MCL 207.801 to

 

207.810, for other related or unrelated projects including the

 

vehicle research and development expenses authorized under

 

subsection (3). Any expenses for which a credit is claimed under

 

this subsection shall not be included in costs and expenses used


 

for credits available under sections 403 and 405.

 

     (5) A taxpayer that has entered into an agreement with the

 

Michigan economic growth authority may claim a credit equal to 50%

 

of the capital investment expenses for any tax year for the

 

construction of an integrative cell manufacturing facility that

 

includes anode and cathode manufacturing and cell assembly if the

 

taxpayer will create not less than 300 new jobs in this state. Not

 

more than 5 agreements may be entered into under this section, and

 

the maximum allowable credit under each agreement shall not exceed

 

$25,000,000.00 per year for no more than 4 years. No credit shall

 

be claimed in a tax year beginning before 2012. However, tax

 

credits may be based on expenses incurred in this state in prior

 

years. The Michigan economic growth authority shall not adopt a

 

resolution authorizing an agreement to provide credits under this

 

subsection after March 31, 2010.

 

     (6) A taxpayer that has entered into an agreement with the

 

Michigan economic growth authority may claim a credit equal to 25%

 

of the capital investment expenses for any tax year for the

 

construction of a facility that will produce large scale batteries

 

and manufacture integrated power management, smart control, and

 

storage systems from 500 kilowatts to 100 megawatts if the taxpayer

 

will create not fewer than 500 new jobs in this state and the

 

taxpayer has received conventional financing, recovery zone

 

facility bonds, or federal loan guarantees for a project that

 

employs innovative energy efficiency, renewable energy, and

 

advanced transmission and distribution technologies from the United

 

States department of energy under section 1703 of title XVII of the


 

energy policy act of 2005, 42 USC 16513. Not more than 1 agreement

 

may be entered into under this subsection, and the maximum

 

allowable credit under the agreement shall not exceed

 

$25,000,000.00 per year for no more than 4 years. No credit shall

 

be claimed in a tax year beginning before 2012. The Michigan

 

economic growth authority shall not adopt a resolution authorizing

 

an agreement to provide a credit under this subsection after March

 

1, 2010.

 

     (7) Subject to the limitations under subsection (8), for tax

 

years that begin on or after January 1, 2012 and end before January

 

1, 2017, a taxpayer that has entered into an agreement with the

 

Michigan economic growth authority that provides that the taxpayer

 

will manufacture advanced lithium ion battery packs in this state

 

may claim a credit against the tax imposed by this act for the

 

manufacture of those advanced lithium ion battery packs as follows:

 

     (a) For a taxpayer that agrees to make capital investments in

 

this state of not less than $250,000,000.00, to create at least

 

1,000 new jobs that shall include jobs that are transferred to this

 

state from a foreign country, and to manufacture not less than

 

225,000 advanced lithium ion battery packs in this state, a total

 

credit of not more than $26,000,000.00 per tax year for no more

 

than 3 tax years. The Michigan economic growth authority shall not

 

adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement under this subdivision

 

after March 1, 2010.

 

     (b) For a taxpayer that agrees to make capital investments in

 

this state of not less than $200,000,000.00 and to create at least

 

300 new jobs, a total credit of not more than $42,000,000.00 over 4


 

consecutive tax years unless otherwise provided under subsection

 

(10). Unless the Michigan economic growth authority determines that

 

there are previously issued credits authorized under subsection (6)

 

available or that there are credits available under subsection

 

(7)(a) for additional credits under this subdivision, the Michigan

 

economic growth authority shall not adopt a resolution authorizing

 

an agreement under this subdivision after March 1, 2010.

 

     (8) Any capital investments made, jobs created, or expenses

 

incurred pursuant to an agreement entered for a credit under

 

subsection (7) or (9) shall be in addition to any other capital

 

investments, jobs, or expenses used for any other credit available

 

under this section and shall not be included or used for a credit

 

available under any subsection other than subsection (7) or (9),

 

respectively. A taxpayer that claims a credit under subsection

 

(7)(a) shall not claim an additional credit under subsection

 

(7)(b). For purposes of subsection (7), "new job" means a full-time

 

job created by a taxpayer related to its advanced lithium ion

 

battery activities, including its battery pack assembly facility, a

 

cell manufacturing facility, and a motor vehicle assembly facility

 

at which the battery pack is installed in a motor vehicle, or

 

related battery engineering, that is in excess of the number of

 

active full-time jobs the taxpayer maintained in this state prior

 

to the effective date of the amendatory act that added this

 

subsection as determined by the Michigan economic growth authority.

 

     (9) Subject to the limitations of this subsection, if the

 

Michigan economic growth authority determines that there are

 

previously issued credits authorized under subsection (6)


 

available, then for tax years that begin on or after January 1,

 

2015 and end before January 1, 2017 a taxpayer may claim a credit

 

of up to 75% of the costs incurred during each tax year that begins

 

on or after January 1, 2013 and ends before January 1, 2016 to

 

implement a sourcing program to utilize battery cells from a

 

business that has entered into an agreement under subsection (5)

 

for the construction of an integrative cell manufacturing facility.

 

Costs eligible for the credit under this subsection shall include

 

payments for battery pack and vehicle engineering and associated

 

design or integration including prototyping, facility, equipment or

 

component retooling, and vehicle regulatory certification and shall

 

include costs such as direct labor, purchases of capital equipment

 

at cost, expensed supplies, intellectual property licensing,

 

services, and financing, as determined and certified by the

 

Michigan economic growth authority. Any costs for which a credit is

 

claimed under this subsection shall not be included in costs and

 

expenses used for credits available under sections 403 and 405. The

 

Michigan economic growth authority may enter into more than 1

 

agreement under this subsection. The Michigan economic growth

 

authority shall not authorize more than an amount equal to 25% of

 

the previously issued credits available under subsection (6) as

 

determined under subsection (10) in total credits to all taxpayers

 

under this subsection. A single taxpayer shall not claim a credit

 

of more than $12,500,000.00 per year for no more than 2 years. To

 

claim the credit under this subsection, a taxpayer must manufacture

 

at least 10,000 motor vehicles in each year a credit is claimed at

 

a facility in this state at which some of the costs eligible for a


 

credit under this subsection are or were incurred. An agreement

 

entered into under this subsection shall contain a repayment

 

provision that if the taxpayer relocates its battery pack assembly

 

facility for which credits are taken under subsection (7) outside

 

of this state during the term of the agreement or subsequently

 

substantially fails to meet the requirements of the agreement, as

 

determined by the Michigan economic growth authority, the taxpayer

 

shall have its credit reduced or terminated or have a percentage of

 

the amount previously claimed under this subsection added back to

 

the tax liability of the taxpayer in the year that the taxpayer

 

fails to comply with the agreement.

 

     (10) If the Michigan economic growth authority determines that

 

there are previously issued credits authorized under subsection (6)

 

available, an amount equal to 25% of those previously issued

 

credits may be used by the authority to enter into agreements for

 

which a credit may be claimed under subsection (9) and an amount

 

equal to 25% of those previously issued credits may be used by the

 

authority to enter into additional agreements for which a credit

 

may be claimed under subsection (7)(b). If the Michigan economic

 

growth authority approves a total of less than $78,000,000.00 in

 

credits under subsection (7)(a), the Michigan economic growth

 

authority may use the difference between $78,000,000.00 and the

 

total amount of credits approved under subsection (7)(a) to approve

 

additional credits under subsection (7)(b). As used in this

 

subsection and subsections (7) and (9), "previously issued credits"

 

means the total amount of credits authorized by the authority for a

 

taxpayer under subsection (6) that meets all of the following:


 

     (a) The taxpayer did not use any or a portion of the credits

 

authorized under the written agreement under subsection (6).

 

     (b) The authority determined at a meeting upon a vote of the

 

majority of the members present that the credits previously

 

authorized satisfy subdivision (a).

 

     (11) The Michigan economic growth authority shall appoint a

 

review board to advise it about decisions concerning credits under

 

subsection (5). The review board shall be composed of not fewer

 

than 2 independent scientists. Additional experts may be sought on

 

an ad hoc basis to review business plans and addressable markets.

 

In making its recommendations, the review board shall give

 

preference to technologies presenting novel materials,

 

manufacturing, and performance qualities. The review board shall

 

also consider all of the following:

 

     (a) Business activities related to advanced battery technology

 

occurring exclusively in Michigan.

 

     (b) Activities directly related to whole cell production, from

 

materials to large format cells, in Michigan.

 

     (c) Scalability of manufacturing processes that are

 

established, are robust, and address strategic global automotive

 

market requirements.

 

     (12) Credits under this section shall be taken after

 

nonrefundable credits available under this act. If a credit or the

 

sum of credits allowed under this section exceeds the tax liability

 

of the taxpayer for the tax year, the taxpayer may elect to have

 

that portion that exceeds the tax liability of the taxpayer

 

refunded or to have the excess carried forward to offset tax


 

liability in subsequent tax years for 10 years or until used up,

 

whichever occurs first. Amounts carried forward shall not affect

 

the maximum amount of credits that may be claimed in subsequent

 

years.

 

     (13) An agreement entered into for tax credits under this

 

section shall specify all of the following:

 

     (a) For credits provided under subsection (2), the number of

 

plug-in traction battery packs eligible for a credit for each tax

 

year covered by the period of the agreement and the maximum amount

 

of the credit that may be claimed by the taxpayer in each tax year.

 

     (b) If the taxpayer claims a credit under subsection (3), the

 

qualified expenses for vehicle engineering, prototype, and launch

 

costs and the annual and total dollar amount of the credits that

 

may be claimed under subsection (3).

 

     (c) If the taxpayer claims a credit under subsection (4), the

 

total dollar amount of the credits that may be claimed under

 

subsection (4).

 

     (d) If a taxpayer claims a credit under subsection (5), all of

 

the following:

 

     (i) The location of the facility.

 

     (ii) The estimated total cost of the facility.

 

     (iii) The capital investment expenses that qualify for the

 

credit under subsection (5).

 

     (iv) The annual and total dollar amount of the credits that may

 

be claimed under subsection (5).

 

     (v) A repayment provision that if the taxpayer subsequently

 

substantially fails to meet certain requirements of the agreement,


 

as determined by the Michigan economic growth authority, the

 

taxpayer may have its credit reduced or terminated or have a

 

percentage of the amount previously claimed under subsection (5)

 

added back to the tax liability of the taxpayer in the year that

 

the taxpayer fails to comply with the agreement.

 

     (e) If a taxpayer claims a credit under subsection (6), all of

 

the following:

 

     (i) The location of the facility.

 

     (ii) The estimated total cost of the facility.

 

     (iii) The capital investment expenses that qualify for the

 

credit under subsection (6).

 

     (iv) The annual and total dollar amount of the credits that may

 

be claimed under subsection (6).

 

     (v) The minimum number of new jobs to be created in this state

 

each year to qualify for the credit under subsection (6).

 

     (vi) A repayment provision that if the taxpayer subsequently

 

substantially fails to meet certain requirements of the agreement,

 

as determined by the Michigan economic growth authority, the

 

taxpayer may have its credit reduced or terminated or have a

 

percentage of the amount previously claimed under subsection (6)

 

added back to the tax liability of the taxpayer in the year that

 

the taxpayer fails to comply with the agreement.

 

     (f) If a taxpayer claims a credit under subsection (7), all of

 

the following:

 

     (i) A provision that the taxpayer agrees to make a good faith

 

effort to utilize Michigan suppliers and vendors when purchasing

 

components and services related to the production of advanced


 

lithium ion battery packs for which a credit is claimed in the

 

2012, 2013, and 2014 tax years. For a credit during the 2015 and

 

2016 tax years, a provision that the taxpayer shall utilize cells

 

from a business that has entered into an agreement under subsection

 

(5) for the construction of an integrative cell manufacturing

 

facility.

 

     (ii) A repayment provision that if the taxpayer relocates its

 

advanced lithium ion battery pack assembly facility that produces

 

the battery pack units for which the credit is claimed under

 

subsection (7) outside of this state during the term of the

 

agreement or subsequently fails to meet the capital investment or

 

new jobs requirements of the agreement entered into for a credit

 

under subsection (7), as determined by the Michigan economic growth

 

authority, the taxpayer shall have a percentage of the amount

 

previously claimed under subsection (7) added back to the tax

 

liability of the taxpayer in the year that the taxpayer fails to

 

comply with the agreement entered into for a credit under

 

subsection (7) and shall have its credit terminated or reduced

 

prospectively.

 

     (iii) The minimum number of advanced lithium ion battery packs

 

to be manufactured to be eligible for a credit for each tax year

 

covered by the period of the agreement and the maximum amount of

 

the credit that may be claimed by the taxpayer in each tax year.

 

     (iv) The capital investment that qualifies for the credit under

 

subsection (7).

 

     (v) The minimum number of new jobs to be created in this state

 

to qualify for the credit under subsection (7).


 

     (14) A taxpayer shall not claim a credit under this section

 

unless the Michigan economic growth authority has issued a

 

certificate to the taxpayer. The taxpayer shall attach the

 

certificate to the annual return filed under this act on which a

 

credit under this section is claimed. The certificate required

 

under this subsection shall state all of the following:

 

     (a) The taxpayer is located in this state and engaged in

 

activity that qualifies for the credit under this section.

 

     (b) The taxpayer's federal employer identification number or

 

the Michigan department of treasury number assigned to the taxpayer

 

and, for a taxpayer that is a unitary business group, the federal

 

employer identification number or Michigan department of treasury

 

number assigned to the member of the group engaged in this state in

 

activity that qualifies for a credit under this section.

 

     (c) If applicable, the number of plug-in traction battery pack

 

units or advanced lithium ion battery pack units manufactured by

 

the taxpayer during the designated tax year and the amount of the

 

credit under this section for which the taxpayer is allowed to

 

claim for the designated tax year.

 

     (d) For credits available under subsections (3), (4), (5),

 

(6), (7), and (9), the amount of the credit available for the tax

 

year and such other information as may be required by the

 

department.

 

     (15) As used in this section:

 

     (a) "Advanced automotive battery technology" means a

 

rechargeable lithium battery that supports vehicle propulsion or

 

other advanced technologies as may be further defined by the


 

Michigan economic growth authority.

 

     (b) "Advanced lithium ion battery pack" means an assembled

 

unit of battery cells containing rechargeable lithium ion chemistry

 

designed and mass-produced for the purpose of transportation,

 

including defense and commercial applications.

 

     (c) "Battery cell" means the basic electrochemical unit that

 

provides a source of electrical energy by direct conversion of

 

chemical energy and consists of an assembly of electrodes,

 

separators, electrolyte, container, and terminals.

 

     (d) "Capital investment" means expenses incurred during the

 

tax year and included in an agreement under this section that are

 

associated with facilities, equipment, tooling and engineering, and

 

manufacturing, including salaries, contract services, taxes,

 

utilities, raw materials, and supplies.

 

     (e) "Michigan economic growth authority" means the Michigan

 

economic growth authority created in the Michigan economic growth

 

authority act, 1995 PA 24, MCL 207.801 to 207.810.

 

     (f) "Plug-in traction battery pack" means an electrochemical

 

energy storage device that meets the following requirements:

 

     (i) Has a traction battery capacity of not less than 4.0

 

kilowatt hours.

 

     (ii) Is equipped with an electrical plug by means of which it

 

can be energized and recharged when plugged into an external source

 

of power.

 

     (iii) Consists of standardized configuration and is mass-

 

produced.

 

     (iv) Has been tested and approved by the national highway


 

transportation safety administration as compliant with applicable

 

motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment safety standards when

 

installed by a mechanic with standardized training in protocols

 

established by the manufacturer as part of a nationwide

 

distribution program.

 

     (v) Is installed in a new qualified plug-in electric drive

 

motor vehicle that qualifies for the credit under section 30D of

 

the internal revenue code.

 

     (g) "Qualified advanced battery engineering expenses" means

 

that part of a taxpayer's qualified research expenses as defined

 

under section 41(b) of the internal revenue code related to

 

engineering research and development related to advanced automotive

 

battery technology.

 

     (h) "Qualified expenses for vehicle engineering" means that

 

part of a taxpayer's expenses for activities within this state

 

related to integrating batteries into a motor vehicle that would

 

qualify for the credit under section 30D of the internal revenue

 

code including such qualified research expenses as defined under

 

section 41(b) of the internal revenue code.

 

     (i) "Traction battery capacity" is the number of kilowatt

 

hours measured from a 100% state of charge to a 0% state of charge.