103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3023 Introduced , by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act35 ILCS 5/234 new Creates the Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $1 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen used by the eligible taxpayer during the tax year for which a credit is sought. Provides that the credit shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the eligible taxpayer uses contractors or employs labor at a project location in an equity investment eligible community. Effective immediately. LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3023 Introduced , by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act35 ILCS 5/234 new New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new Creates the Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $1 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen used by the eligible taxpayer during the tax year for which a credit is sought. Provides that the credit shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the eligible taxpayer uses contractors or employs labor at a project location in an equity investment eligible community. Effective immediately. LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3023 Introduced , by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act35 ILCS 5/234 new New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new Creates the Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $1 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen used by the eligible taxpayer during the tax year for which a credit is sought. Provides that the credit shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the eligible taxpayer uses contractors or employs labor at a project location in an equity investment eligible community. Effective immediately. LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b A BILL FOR HB3023LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 AN ACT concerning revenue. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 5 Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. 6 Section 5. Legislative findings; purpose. The General 7 Assembly finds that: 8 (1) the health, welfare, and prosperity of all 9 Illinois citizens require that the State of Illinois act 10 to reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants in the 11 State; 12 (2) the State currently invests in a variety of 13 strategies to reduce carbon emissions and other air 14 pollutants, including, but not limited to, strategies that 15 encourage the use of renewable energy, nuclear energy, 16 energy efficient processes, and low-emission vehicles; 17 (3) zero-carbon hydrogen can be produced through the 18 electrolysis of water using electricity generated by 19 emissions-free energy sources or through methods involving 20 carbon capture and sequestration; and 21 (4) replacing fossil fuels with zero-carbon hydrogen 22 will reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants and 23 benefit the environment and public health of this State. 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3023 Introduced , by Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr. SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act35 ILCS 5/234 new New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new Creates the Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. Creates an income tax credit in an amount equal to $1 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen used by the eligible taxpayer during the tax year for which a credit is sought. Provides that the credit shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the eligible taxpayer uses contractors or employs labor at a project location in an equity investment eligible community. Effective immediately. LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b A BILL FOR New Act 35 ILCS 5/234 new LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 2 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 2 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 2 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 This Act is intended to encourage the replacement of 2 fossil fuels with zero-carbon hydrogen, promote 3 decarbonization, and encourage the production and use of 4 zero-carbon hydrogen for the purpose of improving the State's 5 air quality. 6 Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act: 7 "Attestation" means a statement that is made under penalty 8 of perjury by a producer under Section 13 and Section 30. 9 "Department" means the Department of Revenue. 10 "Eligible taxpayer" means a taxpayer that: 11 (1) is subject to subsections (a) and (b) of Section 12 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act; 13 (2) has eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use for which 14 the producer has provided an attestation under Section 13; 15 (3) complies with subsection (e) of Section 15, if 16 applicable; and 17 (4) is allocated credits by the Department under 18 Section 25. 19 "Eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use" means the consumption, 20 in Illinois, of zero-carbon hydrogen. 21 "Environmental attribute credit" means a renewable energy 22 credit, zero-emission credit, or carbon mitigation credit, as 23 those terms are defined in Sections 1-10 and 1-75 of the 24 Illinois Power Agency Act, or any other environmental 25 attribute credit tracked by the Generation Attribute Tracking HB3023 - 2 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 3 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 3 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 3 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 System run by PJM Interconnection, LLC. 2 "Environmental justice community" has the meaning provided 3 in the Illinois Power Agency's long-term renewable resources 4 procurement plan. 5 "Producer" means a zero-carbon hydrogen producer. 6 "Renewable energy resource" has the same meaning as 7 provided in Section 1-10 of the Illinois Power Agency Act as 8 that Act exists on the effective date of this Act. 9 "Zero-carbon hydrogen" means hydrogen that has a carbon 10 intensity of 0.45 or below and complies with the rules of the 11 hydrogen production tax credit available under 26 U.S.C. 45V. 12 "Zero-emission facility" has the meaning provided in 13 Section 1-10 of the Illinois Power Agency Act as that Act 14 exists on the effective date of this Act. 15 Section 15. Attestation required. Each taxpayer seeking 16 credits under this Act shall submit with its application for 17 credits under this Act an attestation from the producer, made 18 under penalty of perjury, that the producer: 19 (a) has achieved a carbon intensity of 0.45 or below; and 20 (b) has complied with the rules of the hydrogen production 21 tax credit available under 26 U.S.C. 45V in determining the 22 carbon intensity. 23 Section 20. Allowable credit. 24 (a) For tax years ending on or after December 31, 2023, a HB3023 - 3 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 4 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 4 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 4 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 credit is allowed against the taxes imposed on an eligible 2 taxpayer under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the 3 Illinois Income Tax Act in an amount equal to $1 per kilogram 4 of eligible zero-carbon hydrogen used by the eligible taxpayer 5 during the tax year for which a credit is sought. 6 (b) The allowable credit provided in subsection (a) of 7 this Section shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of 8 eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the use of the zero-carbon 9 hydrogen by the eligible taxpayer occurs in an environmental 10 justice community. 11 (c) The allowable credit provided in subsection (a) of 12 this Section shall be increased by $0.15 per kilogram of 13 eligible zero-carbon hydrogen if the eligible taxpayer uses 14 contractors or employs labor at a project location in an 15 equity investment eligible community, as defined in Section 16 5-5 of the Energy Transition Act on the effective date of this 17 Act, to convert existing equipment or install new equipment to 18 enable eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use for which a credit is 19 claimed under this Act. 20 (d) An eligible taxpayer may not earn tax credits for 21 eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use in an amount that exceeds 22 the amount of tax credit allocated to it under Section 25. The 23 credit or credits may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to 24 less than zero. An eligible taxpayer may carry forward any tax 25 credit that has been earned but not used (or transferred 26 pursuant to Section 35) for a period of up to 5 tax years after HB3023 - 4 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 5 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 5 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 5 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 the last tax year in which a credit was earned by that taxpayer 2 for eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use. Unused credits that are 3 not transferred pursuant to Section 35 shall expire at the end 4 of this 5-year carryforward period. 5 (e) Labor performed on or after the effective date of this 6 Act to convert the eligible taxpayer's existing equipment or 7 to install for the eligible taxpayer new equipment that will 8 enable eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use for which a credit is 9 claimed under this Act shall be performed by general 10 contractors that enter into a project labor agreement, as 11 defined by the Illinois Power Agency Act, prior to 12 construction. The project labor agreement shall be filed with 13 the Department. At a minimum, the project labor agreement must 14 provide the names, addresses, and occupations of the owner of 15 the facilities and the individuals representing the labor 16 organization employees participating in the project labor 17 agreement consistent with the Project Labor Agreements Act. 18 The agreement must also specify the terms and conditions as 19 defined by the Illinois Power Agency Act. Any information 20 submitted pursuant to this subsection (e) shall be considered 21 commercially sensitive information. 22 Section 25. Credit availability. Beginning with the State 23 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and in each subsequent State 24 fiscal year, the total amount of tax credits to be allocated by 25 the Department to taxpayers for eligible zero-carbon hydrogen HB3023 - 5 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 6 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 6 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 6 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 use occurring in a tax year ending during that State fiscal 2 year shall not exceed $100,000,000, plus the amount of tax 3 credits that were available to be allocated for eligible 4 zero-carbon hydrogen use in the tax year ending during the 5 prior State fiscal year but were not allocated. 6 Section 30. Credit allocation by the Department. 7 (a) Taxpayers shall notify the Department, by January 1, 8 2023, of the dollar amount of credit the taxpayer estimates it 9 will earn for eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use in tax years 10 ending on or after December 31, 2023 and ending on or before 11 June 30, 2024. For tax years ending on or after July 1, 2024, 12 taxpayers shall notify the Department of the dollar amount of 13 credit the taxpayer estimates it will earn for eligible 14 zero-carbon hydrogen use by January 1 immediately preceding 15 the first day of the fiscal year in which the tax year ends. 16 (b) The Department shall notify each taxpayer of the 17 dollar amount of credit allocated to that taxpayer for 18 zero-carbon hydrogen use. That notification shall occur by 19 March 1 following the date on which the taxpayer notifies the 20 Department of its estimated zero-carbon hydrogen use under 21 subsection (a). The taxpayer must notify the Department within 22 30 days after the notification by the Department under this 23 subsection (b) if it wishes to surrender its allocation. 24 (c) The Department shall not allocate any credit under 25 this Act to a taxpayer for a tax year that ends on or after HB3023 - 6 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 7 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 7 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 7 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 December 31, 2032 if the taxpayer has not previously claimed a 2 credit under this Act for eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use. 3 (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or 4 Section 30, the Department shall not allocate credits under 5 this Act to a taxpayer for more than 10 years. 6 (e) The amount of credit allocated to a taxpayer by the 7 Department in subsection (b) of this Section shall be the 8 maximum credit that the taxpayer is permitted to earn for the 9 tax year ending in the State fiscal year for which credits are 10 allocated. 11 (f) In years when the total allocation of credits sought 12 by taxpayers exceeds the available credits to be allocated to 13 all taxpayers under Section 20, a taxpayer that fails to earn 14 credit for eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use for at least 90% 15 of the credit allocated to that taxpayer shall pay a penalty 16 equal to the dollar amount of tax credit allocated but 17 unearned. This subsection shall not apply if a taxpayer's 18 failure to use its full allocation of credits is due to an 19 extraordinary event that was unforeseen at the time of the 20 requested allocation under subsection (a) of this Section or 21 the 30-day surrender period in subsection (b) of this Section, 22 such as an unexpected outage of the generator providing 23 electricity used to produce zero-carbon hydrogen, an 24 unexpected outage of the hydrogen production facility, or an 25 unexpected outage of the taxpayer's facility using the 26 zero-carbon hydrogen. HB3023 - 7 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 8 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 8 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 8 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 (g) Except as provided in Section 35, an allocation may 2 not be transferred, sold, or otherwise conveyed, nor may an 3 allocation be rolled forward to a subsequent year. 4 Section 35. Prioritization of tax credit allocation. If 5 the total amount of tax credits sought by taxpayers under 6 Section 25 exceeds the total amount of tax credits that are 7 allowed to be allocated under Section 20, the Department shall 8 prioritize allocation as follows: 9 (1) any credits shall be allocated to eligible 10 taxpayers who previously received a credit allocation and 11 who engaged in eligible zero-carbon hydrogen use in the 12 prior calendar year, up to a maximum amount equal to their 13 most recent allocation. If there are insufficient credits 14 available, then each taxpayer's allocation shall be 15 pro-rated by the same percentage reduction. 16 (2) any remaining credits for the fiscal year shall be 17 allocated to taxpayers in proportion to their requested 18 allocation, excluding any amount already allocated to a 19 taxpayer pursuant to subsections (1) of this Section. To 20 the extent there are remaining credits available, any such 21 allocation shall be conducted on a quarterly basis. 22 (3) Any eligible taxpayer seeking an allocation under 23 this section shall provide to the Department an 24 attestation that such taxpayer has the intent and 25 capability to use the entirety of any such allotment of HB3023 - 8 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 9 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 9 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 9 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 eligible zero-carbon hydrogen. 2 (4) Report. On an annual basis, the Department shall 3 publish a report describing the total aggregate 4 allocations requested by all taxpayers, the total 5 aggregate allocations granted by the Department, the total 6 aggregate credits actually claimed by taxpayers and the 7 total penalties due pursuant to Section 25f. 8 Section 40. Transfer of credits. 9 (a) Any eligible taxpayer earning tax credits under this 10 Act (referred to in this Section as the assignor), which tax 11 credits have been allocated and earned but not yet used by the 12 eligible taxpayer against its tax liability for any tax year 13 and which have not expired, may sell, assign, convey, or 14 otherwise transfer such credits. The taxpayer acquiring the 15 credits (referred to in this Section as the assignee) may use 16 the amount of the acquired credits against the tax imposed 17 under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois 18 Income Tax Act for the tax year in which the assignee acquired 19 the credit and may carry forward any unused credit for 5 tax 20 years after the tax year in which the assignee acquired the 21 credit. 22 (b) The Department shall certify the eligibility of the 23 credit to be transferred by the assignor upon assignor's 24 application to the Department. The application shall set forth 25 the hydrogen producer's name and attestation, the amount of HB3023 - 9 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023- 10 -LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 10 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b HB3023 - 10 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b 1 all credits earned and previously used by the assignor, the 2 amount of all credits earned and unused by the assignor, the 3 amount of credits proposed to be transferred, and the 4 assignee's name and tax identification number. The Department 5 shall thereafter certify whether the amount of credits 6 proposed to be transferred to the assignee is available to the 7 assignor. 8 Section 45. Severability. If any provision of this Act or 9 its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, 10 the invalidity of that provision or application does not 11 affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can 12 be given effect without the invalid provision or application. 13 Section 900. The Illinois Income Tax Act is amended by 14 adding Section 234 as follows: 15 (35 ILCS 5/234 new) 16 Sec. 234. Hydrogen Fuel Replacement Tax Credit Act. 17 Taxpayers who are awarded a credit under the Hydrogen Fuel 18 Replacement Tax Credit Act are entitled to a credit as 19 provided in that Act. 20 Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 21 becoming law. HB3023 - 10 - LRB103 30261 HLH 56689 b