ENROLLED Page 1 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. ACT No. 418 Regular Session, 2013 HOUSE BILL NO. 377 BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana. AN ACT1 To amend and reenact R.S. 44:4.1(B)(32) and R.S. 47:6007(C)(4)(b), 6016(F)(1)(b),2 6019(A)(3)(b)(i)(cc), 6020(F)(2), 6021(I)(2), 6022(E)(1)(e)(ii), and 6034(D)(1) and3 to enact R.S. 47:1508(B)(33) and 1524, relative to tax credits; to establish a registry4 for certain tax credits; to provide relative to agencies required to submit information5 to the registry; to provide relative to the information which shall be recorded in the6 registry; to provide for certain requirements and limitations; to provide relative to7 access to information in the registry; to provide with respect to the confidentiality of8 certain tax records; to authorize the secretary of the Department of Revenue to share9 certain tax credit transfer information; to provide relative to the transferability of10 certain tax credits; to provide relative to the notification of the transfer or sale of11 certain tax credits; to provide that certain records are private; to provide for an12 effective date; and to provide for related matters.13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:14 Section 1. R.S. 47:6007(C)(4)(b), 6016(F)(1)(b), 6019(A)(3)(b)(i)(cc), 6020(F)(2),15 6021(I)(2), 6022(E)(1)(e)(ii), and 6034(D)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.16 47:1508(B)(33) and 1524 are hereby enacted to read as follows:17 §1508. Confidential character of tax records18 * * *19 B. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent:20 * * *21 (33) The furnishing of information as requested by the transferor pursuant22 to the provisions of R.S. 47:1524(G).23 * * *24 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 2 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. §1524. Tax credit registry; requirements; limitations1 A. Purpose. The intent of this Section is to provide for a centralized2 registration and recordation system for transferable tax credits granted, issued, and3 authorized by the state of Louisiana. The provisions of this Section shall be known4 and cited as the "Louisiana Tax Credit Registry Act".5 B. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following words shall have6 the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:7 (1) "Department" means the Department of Revenue.8 (2) "Identification number" means a unique identifying number that shall be9 assigned to each tax credit certificate registered in the registry. A tax credit's10 identification number shall remain associated with the tax credit from the time the11 credit is originally entered into the registry through any claim, transfer, or refund12 associated with the credit, until such time as the tax credit is fully redeemed.13 (3) "Secretary" means the secretary of the Department of Revenue.14 (4) "Tax credit" means any transferable tax credit granted, issued, and15 authorized by the state applied against taxes collected by the department.16 (5) "Tax credit certificate" means any document granting tax credits issued17 by a state agency administering a tax credit program, including but not limited to tax18 credit certification letters which shall include the name of the individual or entity19 issued the tax credit, the amount of the tax credit, and any other identifying20 information regarding the tax credit.21 (6) "Transfer" means an assignment, disposition, transfer, or allocation of22 tax credits.23 (7) "Transferee" means an individual or entity that receives a transfer of tax24 credits.25 (8) "Transferor" means an individual or entity that makes a transfer of tax26 credits.27 C. Administration. There is hereby established a central tax credit registry,28 hereinafter referred to as "registry", within the department for the registration and29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 3 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. recordation of tax credits granted, issued, and authorized by the state and any1 subsequent transfers.2 (1) Beginning January 1, 2014, all state agencies issuing tax credits to be3 applied against taxes collected by the department shall promptly send a copy of any4 newly granted, issued, or authorized tax credit certificates to the department. Upon5 receipt of this information, the department shall assign an identifying number to each6 tax credit, and shall record the tax credit into the registry along with the name of the7 individual or entity issued the tax credit, the amount of the tax credit, and any other8 information deemed necessary by the secretary.9 (2) Any state agency that issues or authorizes tax credits shall remit an10 electronic report on forms prescribed by the secretary no later than January 31, 2014,11 of all tax credit certificates issued prior to January 1, 2014. The department shall12 endeavor to record all tax credit transfers which occurred prior to January 1, 2014,13 into the registry.14 D. Transfers.15 (1) Joint notice from the transferor and the transferee of all tax credit16 transfers shall be submitted to the department, including additional information that17 the secretary deems necessary and appropriate. Upon receipt of the applicable tax18 credit information, the department shall record the transfer of the tax credit by19 recording the applicable identification numbers, the name of the transferor and20 transferee, the amount of the tax credits being transferred, and any other information21 deemed necessary by the secretary.22 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no issuance23 or transfer of tax credits after January 1, 2014, shall be effective as to third parties24 nor recognized by the department until it has been recorded in the registry.25 (3) The effectiveness of a tax credit transfer as between the transferor and26 the transferee shall be provided by agreement of the parties or, in the absence of an27 agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Civil Code and its28 ancillaries.29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 4 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. E. Disallowance and recapture of tax credits. A tax credit shall be1 disallowed and recaptured if the department or state agency issuing the tax credit2 finds that an individual or entity obtained a tax credit in violation of the provisions3 of the statute authorizing issuance of the tax credit, including but not limited to fraud4 or misrepresentation. Any tax credit previously granted to an individual or entity but5 later disallowed may be recovered by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of R.S.6 47:1561. The provisions of this Subsection are in addition to and shall not limit the7 authority of the secretary of the department to assess, collect, or recapture under any8 other provision of law.9 (1) If the transferor of a tax credit did not have the right to claim or use the10 tax credit at the time of the transfer, the transferee's recourse shall be against the11 transferor, as provided by agreement of the parties. The department shall warrant the12 validity of the information recorded in the registry for credits issued after January 1,13 2014. A good faith transferee, as determined by the department at the time of14 transfer, that relied on the validity of the credits recorded in the registry shall not be15 subject to the provisions of this Subsection. For purposes of this Subsection, "good16 faith" shall mean honesty in fact and the observance of reasonable commercial17 standards of fair dealing.18 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may19 recapture any amounts and other damages from any individual or entity determined20 not to be in good faith as provided for in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.21 F. Prescription. (1) In case of disputed title to tax credits, prescription22 against assessment shall be suspended by any of the following:23 (a) The filing of a summary proceeding in any state or federal court.24 (b) A written agreement between all interested taxpayers and the secretary.25 (c) The filing of any pleading, either by the secretary or any taxpayer, with26 the Board of Tax Appeals.27 (2) Prescription shall begin to run again upon the issuance of a final28 administrative decision or a judgment that has become final and nonappealable.29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 5 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. G. Registry access. Information contained in the registry and in the1 possession of the department regarding the ownership of tax credits, all transfers of2 tax credits, and the amount of tax credits shall be deemed privileged and confidential3 under the provisions of R.S. 47:1508 and shall not be available to the public;4 however, the provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to prevent5 information relative to the entity or individual initially issued the tax credit, the6 initial amount of the tax credit, and any information regarding any transfer of the tax7 credit from being released to the public pursuant to a public records request8 submitted to the state agency administering the tax credit program pursuant to the9 Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq. The data compiled in the registry shall be10 available for cross-referencing by other state agencies; however, state agencies shall11 apply to the department for access to the registry and shall be subject to any12 permissions, restrictions, and conditions as determined by the department. Upon13 application by a transferor, on a form prescribed by the secretary, the department14 shall provide information sufficient to certify the transferor is the record owner of15 tax credits issued on or after January 1, 2014, which are registered in the transferor's16 name in the registry. The secretary shall prescribe the application required by the17 provisions of this Subsection to be submitted by a transferor to certify the record18 owner of tax credits.19 H. Rules. The secretary of the department may promulgate rules and20 regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act as may be21 necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.22 * * *23 §6007. Motion picture investor tax credit24 * * *25 C. Investor tax credit; specific productions and projects.26 * * *27 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 6 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. (4) Transferability of the credit. Any motion picture tax credits not1 previously claimed by any taxpayer against its income tax may be transferred or sold2 to another Louisiana taxpayer or to the office, subject to the following conditions:3 * * *4 (b) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the office, and to the5 Department of Revenue in writing, a notification of any transfer or sale of tax credits6 within thirty ten business days after the transfer or sale of such tax credits. The7 notification shall include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to transfer, a copy8 of any tax credit certification letter(s) issued by the office and the secretary of the9 Department of Economic Development and, the transferor's remaining tax credit10 balance after transfer, all tax identification numbers for both transferor and11 transferee, the date of transfer, the amount transferred, a copy of the credit12 certificate, price paid by the transferee to the transferor, in the case when the13 transferor is a state-certified production, for the tax credits, and any other14 information required by the office or the Department of Revenue. For the purpose15 of reporting transfer prices, the term "transfer" shall include allocations pursuant to16 Paragraph (2) of this Subsection as provided by rule. The office may post on its17 website an average tax credit transfer value, as determined by the office and the18 secretary of the Department of Economic Development to reflect adequately the19 current average tax credit transfer value. The tax credit transfer value means the20 percentage as determined by the price paid by the transferee to the transferor divided21 by the dollar value of the tax credits that were transferred in return. The notification22 submitted to the office Department of Revenue shall include a processing fee of up23 to two hundred dollars per transferee, and any pricing information submitted by a24 transferor or transferee shall be treated by the office and the Department of Revenue25 as proprietary to the entity reporting such information and therefore confidential.26 However, this shall not prevent the publication of summary data that includes no27 fewer than three transactions.28 * * *29 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 7 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. §6016. New markets tax credit1 * * *2 F.(1) Any tax credits not previously claimed by any taxpayer against its3 income or franchise tax may be transferred or sold to another Louisiana taxpayer,4 subject to the following conditions:5 * * *6 (b) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the Department of Revenue,7 in writing, a notification of any transfer or sale of tax credits within thirty ten8 business days after the transfer or sale of such tax credits. The notification shall9 include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to transfer, the transferor's remaining10 tax credit balance after transfer, all tax identification numbers for both transferor and11 transferee, the date of transfer, the amount transferred, a copy of the credit12 certificate, price paid by the transferee to the transferor, and any other information13 required by the Department of Revenue. The notification submitted shall include a14 processing fee of up to two hundred dollars per transferee.15 * * *16 §6019. Tax credit; rehabilitation of historic structures17 A.18 * * *19 (3)20 * * *21 (b)(i)22 * * *23 (cc) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the state historic preservation24 office and to the Department of Revenue in writing a notification of any transfer or25 sale of tax credits within thirty ten business days after the transfer or sale of such tax26 credits. The notification shall include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to27 transfer, the credit identification number assigned by the state historic preservation28 office, the remaining balance after transfer, all federal and Louisiana tax29 identification numbers for both transferor and transferee, the date of transfer, the30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 8 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. amount transferred, and any other information required by the state historic1 preservation office or the Department of Revenue. Failure to comply with this2 notification provision will result in the disallowance of the tax credit until the parties3 are in full compliance.4 * * *5 §6020. Angel Investor Tax Credit Program6 * * *7 F. Transferability of the credit. Any Angel Investor Tax Credits not8 previously claimed by any taxpayer against its tax may be transferred or sold to9 another Louisiana taxpayer, subject to the following conditions:10 * * *11 (2) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the department and the12 Department of Revenue, in writing, a notification of any transfer or sale of tax credits13 within thirty ten business days after the transfer or sale of such tax credits. The14 notification shall include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to transfer, a copy15 of any tax credit certificate issued by the secretary of the Department of Economic16 Development and, the transferor's remaining tax credit balance after transfer, all tax17 identification numbers for both transferor and transferee, the date of transfer, the18 amount transferred, the price paid by the transferee to the transferor, and any other19 information required by the department or the Department of Revenue. Any pricing20 information submitted by a transferor or transferee shall be treated by the department21 and the Department of Revenue as proprietary to the entity reporting such22 information and therefore confidential. However, this shall not prevent the23 publication of summary data that includes no fewer than three transactions.24 * * *25 §6021. Brownfields Investor Tax Credit26 * * *27 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 9 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. I. Transferability of the credit. Any tax credits provided for in this Section1 not previously claimed by any taxpayer against its income tax may be transferred or2 sold to another Louisiana taxpayer, subject to the following conditions:3 * * *4 (2) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the Department of Revenue,5 in writing, a notification of any transfer or sale of tax credits within thirty ten6 business days after the transfer or sale of such tax credits. The notification shall7 include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to transfer, a copy of any tax credit8 certification letter(s) issued by the Department of Environmental Quality, the name9 of the state-certified site, the transferor's remaining tax credit balance after transfer,10 all tax identification numbers for both transferor and transferee, the date of transfer,11 the amount transferred, a copy of the credit certificate, price paid by the transferee12 to the transferor, for the tax credits, and any other information required by the13 Department of Revenue. For the purpose of reporting transfer prices, the term14 "transfer" shall include allocations pursuant to R.S. 47:6007(C)(3) as provided by15 rule.16 * * *17 §6022. Digital interactive media and software tax credit18 * * *19 E. Use of tax credits20 (1) For tax credits earned for expenditures made on or before December 31,21 2011:22 * * *23 (e) Any tax credits allocated to a person and not previously claimed by any24 taxpayer against his Louisiana state income or franchise tax may be transferred or25 sold by such person to another person, subject to the following conditions:26 * * *27 (ii) Transferors and transferees shall submit to the office and Department of28 Revenue, in writing, a notification of any transfer or sale of tax credits within thirty29 ten business days after the transfer or sale of such tax credits. The notification shall30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 10 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. include the transferor's tax credit balance prior to transfer, the state-certified1 production number, the name of the state-certified production, the transferor's2 remaining tax credit balance after transfer, all tax identification numbers for both3 transferor and transferee, the date of transfer, the amount transferred, a copy of the4 tax credit certificate, and any other information required by the office or the5 Department of Revenue.6 * * *7 §6034. Musical and theatrical production income tax credit8 * * *9 D.(1) The credit shall be allowed against individual or corporate income tax10 of the companies or financiers of the production or infrastructure project in11 accordance with their share of the credit as provided for in the application for12 certification for the production or infrastructure project. A company or financier13 may, on a one-time basis, transfer the credit, and/or or any refund of an overpayment ,14 to an individual or other entity including without limitation a bank or other lender,15 provided that the transfer shall not be effective until receipt by the Department of16 Revenue of written notice of such transfer. Transferors and transferees shall submit17 to the Department of Revenue, in writing, a notification of any transfer of the tax18 credit within ten business days after the transfer. The credit shall be allowed for the19 taxable period in which expenditures eligible for a credit are expended. Any excess20 of the credit over the income tax liability against which the credit may be applied21 shall constitute an overpayment, as defined in R.S. 47:1621(A), and the secretary of22 the Department of Revenue shall make a refund of such overpaym ent from the23 current collections of the taxes imposed by Chapter 1 of Subtitle II of this Title, as24 amended. The right to a refund of any such overpayment shall not be subject to the25 requirements of R.S. 47:1621(B).26 * * *27 Section 2. R.S. 44:4.1(B)(32) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:28 §4.1. Exceptions29 * * *30 ENROLLEDHB NO. 377 Page 11 of 11 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. B. The legislature further recognizes that there exist exceptions, exemptions,1 and limitations to the laws pertaining to public records throughout the revised2 statutes and codes of this state. Therefore, the following exceptions, exemptions, and3 limitations are hereby continued in effect by incorporation into this Chapter by4 citation:5 * * *6 (32) R.S. 47:15, 349, 633.6, 1508, 1515.3, 1516, 1524(G), 1837, 2130, 2327,7 2605, 6026, 90068 * * *9 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not10 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature11 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If12 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become13 effective on the day following such approval.14 SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED: