Louisiana Senate Bill SSR1

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

Caption

Requests study of a tax credit against individual state income tax for the amount of sales tax paid for certain residential home building or remodeling.

Impact

If approved, the bill could significantly affect homeowners in Louisiana by providing incentives to use green materials in home construction and renovations. The proposed tax credit, which would be capped at $250, aims to encourage more environmentally friendly choices by offsetting some of the costs associated with purchasing sustainable materials. This financial incentive could support homeowners in making more informed decisions that align with environmental sustainability goals, thereby contributing to an overall reduction in energy consumption across the state.

Summary

SSR1 is a Senate Study Request that asks the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs to investigate the potential for a tax credit against individual state income tax based on the sales tax paid for certain home building or remodeling activities. The focus of the study is particularly on the usage of sustainable or 'green' materials, which proponents argue is essential for promoting energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of residential buildings. This proposal is rooted in the understanding that sustainable building methods not only help in conserving natural resources but also potentially lower operational costs for homeowners in the long run.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SSR1 appears to be largely positive, especially among advocates of green building practices and environmental conservation. Supporters believe that offering tax credits for green materials will drive a shift towards more sustainable practices within the housing market. However, there could be underlying concerns regarding the fiscal implications of implementing such tax incentives, especially during budget planning periods. The discussions may touch on the balance between promoting sustainability and ensuring state budgetary health.

Contention

While SSR1 aims to promote tax credits for eco-friendly building materials, the main points of contention may revolve around potential costs to the state and the definitions of 'green materials.' Some stakeholders may argue that the criteria for what constitutes green materials could be too restrictive or conflicted with existing definitions in the market. Additionally, there might be debates on how effective such tax credits would be in actually changing consumer behavior and whether the financial returns from energy savings would justify the initial tax revenue losses.