Excludes certain business utilities from state and local sales and use taxes (OR -$2,300,000 GF RV See Note)
Impact
The enactment of HB 376 would significantly alter the tax landscape for businesses in Louisiana, particularly those that rely heavily on utility services. By exempting essential utilities from taxation, the bill could potentially lower operational costs for industrial manufacturers, promoting economic development and competitiveness within the state. This move could encourage businesses to invest in Louisiana, as lower tax burdens on utilities could facilitate growth and expansion for companies operating in various sectors dependent on these resources.
Summary
House Bill 376 aims to exclude certain business utilities from the imposition of state and local sales and use taxes in Louisiana. Specifically, it seeks to amend existing definitions and exclusions within the sales and use tax laws, notably excluding utilities such as gasoline, steam, water, and electric power used for industrial purposes or cogeneration. By doing so, the bill is intended to provide tax relief for nonresidential entities, particularly those involved in industrial manufacturing and energy generation, effective from July 1, 2017.
Sentiment
The general sentiment surrounding House Bill 376 appears to be supportive among business groups and industries that would benefit from the tax exemptions. Proponents argue that the bill will alleviate the financial burdens on manufacturers and stimulate economic investment in Louisiana. However, there may be concerns from local governing bodies regarding the potential decrease in tax revenue, as these exemptions could lead to challenges in funding local services and projects. Hence, while businesses may favor the bill, the sentiment could be mixed among local government officials.
Contention
Notable points of contention regarding HB 376 center on its potential fiscal implications for state and local budgets. Critics may argue that the bill could result in significant reductions in tax revenues, estimated at around $2.3 million, which would impact the ability of local governments to provide essential services. Moreover, there may be discussions about fairness and equity related to who benefits from such tax exemptions, raising questions about the overall impact on the state's economic landscape and the distribution of tax burdens among various sectors.
Repeals the state sales and use tax exclusion for manufacturing machinery and equipment and the exemption for business utilities and provides a refund of the state sales and use tax collected on certain manufacturing machinery and equipment and industrial utilities (OR INCREASE GF RV See Note)