BILL NUMBER: AB 603INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Salas FEBRUARY 24, 2015 An act to add Sections 17053.98 and 23698 to the Revenue and Taxation Code, relating to taxation, to take effect immediately, tax levy. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 603, as introduced, Salas. Income taxes: turf removal tax credit. The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law authorize various credits against the taxes imposed by those laws, including a credit for an increase in qualified full-time employees of a qualified employer. This bill would, under both laws, for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2015, allow a credit to a taxpayer participating in a lawn replacement program, as defined, in an amount equal to $2 per square foot of conventional lawn removed from the taxpayer's property. The bill would make findings and declarations in this regard. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California has been experiencing more frequent and severe droughts and is currently enduring its worst drought in 200 years. (b) It is estimated that landscaping accounts for 60 percent of all water consumed by residential customers. California lawns cover more than 300,000 acres and consume more than 1.5 million acre-feet of water per year. (c) Californians have already begun to minimize lawn watering by replacing conventional lawns with water-saving and drought-resistant plants or artificial grass. These landscaping alternatives are dependable tools for water conservation. (d) In light of severe drought, California has an interest in encouraging consumers to decrease water usage. Establishing a state tax credit for the removal and replacement of conventional grass landscapes will incentivize water conservation. SEC. 2. Section 17053.98 is added to the Revenue and Taxation Code, to read: 17053.98. (a) For each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2015, there shall be allowed a credit against the "net tax," as defined by Section 17039, to a qualified taxpayer in an amount equal to two dollars ($2) per square foot of conventional lawn removed from the qualified taxpayer's property. (b) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Lawn replacement program" means a local water agency program that offers incentives to customers encouraging the replacement of conventional lawns with artificial lawns, drought-resistant plants, or other water-efficient landscaping. (2) "Qualified taxpayer" means a person participating in a lawn replacement program offered by a local water agency. (c) The credit is allowed by this section notwithstanding Section 41. SEC. 3. Section 23698 is added to the Revenue and Taxation Code, to read: 23698. (a) For each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2015, there shall be allowed a credit against the "tax," as defined by Section 23036, to a qualified taxpayer in an amount equal to two dollars ($2) per square foot of conventional lawn removed from the qualified taxpayer's property. (b) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Lawn replacement program" means a local water agency program that offers incentives to customers encouraging the replacement of conventional lawns with artificial lawns, drought-resistant plants, or other water-efficient landscaping. (2) "Qualified taxpayer" means a person participating in a lawn replacement program offered by a local water agency. (c) The credit is allowed by this section notwithstanding Section 41. SEC. 4. This act provides for a tax levy within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate effect.