HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

983

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State has a public interest in diversifying our economy and promoting the development of high technology ventures.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Hawaii strategic development corporation to transfer tax credits.

     SECTION 2.  Section 211F-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Tax credits" means tax credits issued or transferred pursuant to this chapter and available against liabilities imposed by chapter 235 or 241 or section 431:7-202.

     "Taxpayer" means a person subject to a tax imposed by chapter 235 or 241 or section 431:7-202."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 211F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§211F-     Tax credits.  (a)  The State shall issue tax credits to the corporation that may be transferred or otherwise used to reduce the tax liability of any taxpayer pursuant to chapter 235 or 241 or section 431:7-202.  The total amount of tax credits that shall be issued and that may be transferred pursuant to this chapter by the corporation is $        .

     (b)  The tax credits issued to the corporation shall be freely transferable by the corporation to transferees and by transferees to subsequent transferees; provided that the tax credits transferred by the corporation shall not be exercisable in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2013, or ending after December 31, 2025.

     The corporation shall notify the governor and the legislature in writing if any tax credit is transferred by the corporation; provided that the corporation shall not be required to make that notification for transfers to subsequent transferees.

     (c)  The corporation shall determine the amount of individual tax credits to be transferred pursuant to this chapter and may negotiate for the sale of those credits subject only to the limits imposed by this chapter.

     The amount of tax credits transferred by the corporation pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed an aggregate total of $        per fiscal year.  The board shall clearly indicate on the face of the certificate or other document transferring the tax credit the following information:

     (1)  The principal amount of the tax credit; and

     (2)  The taxable year or years for which the credit may be claimed.

     (d)  Tax credits transferred by the corporation in accordance with this chapter are binding on the corporation and may not be modified, terminated, or rescinded.

     (e)  The corporation, in conjunction with the department of taxation, shall develop a system for registration of any tax credits issued or transferred pursuant to this chapter and a system of certificates that permits verification that:

     (1)  Any tax credit claimed upon a tax return is validly issued and properly taken in the year of claim; and

     (2)  Any transfers of the tax credit are made in accordance with this chapter.

     (f)  The corporation may pay a fee and provide other consideration in connection with the purchase by the corporation of a put option or other agreement pursuant to which a transfer of tax credits authorized by this chapter may be made.

     (g)  The corporation shall comply with best practices standards and shall invest moneys raised or arranged by the corporation pursuant to this section, subject to the following limitations:

     (1)  The corporation shall invest principally in capital investment entities:

         (A)  With managers or management teams with investing experience in start-up or early stage ventures; and

         (B)  With the ability to advise and mentor entrepreneurs and facilitate follow-on investments;

     (2)  Not more than fifteen per cent of the aggregate moneys raised or arranged shall be invested in a single fund;

     (3)  The corporation's capital commitment to a single fund shall not exceed fifty per cent of the total capital committed to that fund, except in the case of proof-of-concept or pre-seed investment entities; and

     (4)  The corporation shall establish a target for investments in Hawaii-based businesses of fifty per cent of the aggregate moneys raised or arranged pursuant to this section; provided that for the purposes of this subsection, "Hawaii-based businesses" means businesses whose principal operations are located in Hawaii at the time of the initial investment.

     (h)  The tax credits shall be claimed as refundable tax credits.

     (i)  The tax credits issued or transferred pursuant to this chapter, upon election by the taxpayer at time of use, shall be treated as a payment or prepayment in lieu of taxes imposed under chapter 235 or 241 or section 431:7-202.

     (j)  If the tax credits under this section exceed the taxpayer's income tax liability under chapter 235 or 241 or section 431:7-202 for any taxable year, or for any other reason is not claimed by a taxpayer in whole or in part in any taxable year, the excess of the tax credit over liability, or the amount of the unclaimed tax credit, as the case may be, may be used in subsequent taxable years until exhausted, subject to:

     (1)  The deadline for the exercise of tax credits imposed by subsection (b); and

     (2)  The monetary limit imposed by subsection (c).

     (k)  A certificate or tax credit issued or transferred in accordance with this chapter shall not be considered a security under chapter 485A.

     (l)  The corporation shall not transfer or sell any tax credit at more than a thirty per cent discount.

     (m)  The corporation, in conjunction with the department of taxation, shall monitor the transfer of tax credits provided for under this section and submit a report on the transfer of tax credits to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation; Tax Credits

 

Description:

Authorizes the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation to transfer tax credits issued by the State, subject to certain conditions.  Effective July 1, 2112.  (HB983 HD2)

 

 

 

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