Connecticut House Bill HB05645

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 1/27/21

Caption

An Act Establishing A Tax On Social Media Provider Companies.

Impact

If passed, HB 5645 would effectively amend the general statutes concerning taxation by introducing a new category of tax specifically for social media companies operating in the state. The revenue generated from this tax could significantly bolster statewide initiatives focused on mitigating online bullying, enhancing mental health outcomes, and improving counseling services within educational institutions. The direct funding of programs aimed at suicide prevention and addressing social isolation indicates a proactive legislative approach toward the mental health challenges associated with social media use among the youth.

Summary

House Bill 5645 proposes the establishment of a tax on social media providers based on their apportioned annual gross revenue derived from advertising services in the state. This bill's aim is to generate revenue that can be partially dedicated to funding online bullying prevention efforts, as well as training and research endeavors aimed at addressing social isolation and suicide prevention among adolescents. By targeting the large revenues generated by social media companies, this bill seeks to create a financial resource specifically for mental health initiatives.

Contention

Notably, the bill may face opposition from social media companies, who could argue that the imposition of an additional tax would adversely affect their profitability or result in increased costs for advertising services. Opponents might contend that taxing these providers could lead to higher prices for consumers or less investment in services catered toward state residents. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the potential bureaucratic oversight and implementation of the tax, along with discussions around how the revenue will be allocated, which could affect support for the bill among legislators.