SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SENATE FLOOR VERSION March 3, 2021 SENATE BILL NO. 498 By: Thompson and McCortney of the Senate and Fetgatter of the House An Act relating to ad valorem tax; amending 68 O.S. 2011, Section 2902, as last amen ded by Section 1, Chapter 258, O.S.L. 2019 (68 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 2902), which relates to ad valorem tax exemption; providing waiver of certain payrol l requirement relating to current and future exemptions for certain facilities; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 68 O.S. 2011, Section 2902, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 258, O.S.L. 2019 (68 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 2902), is amended to read as follows: Section 2902. A. Except as otherwise provided by subsection H of Section 3658 of this title pursuant to which the exemption authorized by this section may not be claimed, a qualifying manufacturing concern, as defined by Section 6B of Ar ticle X of the Oklahoma Constitution, and as further defined herein, shall be exempt from the levy of any ad valorem taxes upon new, expanded or acquired manufacturing facilities , including facilities engaged in SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 research and development, for a period of fi ve (5) years. The provisions of Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution requiring an existing facility to have been unoccupied for a period of twelve (12) months prior to acquisition shall be construe d as a qualification for a facility to ini tially receive an exemption , and shall not be deemed to be a qualification for that facility to continue to receive an exemption in each of the four (4) years following the initial year for which the exemption was granted. Such facilities are hereby class ified for the purposes of t axation as provided in Section 22 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution. B. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: 1. “Manufacturing facilities ” means facilities engaged in the mechanical or chemical transformation of ma terials or substances into new products and except as provided by paragraph 8 of subsection C of this section shall include: a. establishments which have received a manufacturer exemption permit pursuant to the provisions of Sect ion 1359.2 of this title, b. facilities, including repair and replacement parts, primarily engaged in aircraft repair, building and rebuilding whether or not on a factory basis, c. establishments primarily engaged in computer services and data processing a s defined under Industrial Group SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Numbers 5112 and 5415, and U.S. Industry Number 334611 and 519130 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and which derive at least fifty percent (50%) of their annual gross revenues from the sale of a product or service to an out-of-state buyer or consumer, and as defined under Industrial Group Number 5142 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, which derive at least eighty percent (80%) of their annual gross revenues from the sale of a product or service to an out -of- state buyer or consumer. Eligibilit y as a manufacturing facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall be established, subject to review by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, by annually filing an affidavit with the Tax Commission stating that the facility so qualifies an d such other information as required by the Tax Commission. For purposes of determining whether annual gross revenues are derived from sales to out-of-state buyers, all sales to the federal government shall be con sidered to be an out- of-state buyer, d. for which the investment cost of the construction, acquisition or expansion of the manufacturing facility is Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) or more. Provided, “investment cost” shall not include SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 4 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the cost of direct replacement, refurbishmen t, repair or maintenance of existing machinery or equipment, except that “investment cost” shall include capital expenditures for direct replacement, refurbishment, repair or maintenance of existing machinery or equipment that qualifies for depreciation an d/or amortization pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and such expenditures shall be eligible as a part of an “expansion” that otherwise qualifies under this section, and e. establishments primarily engaged in distribution as defined under Industry Numbers 493 11, 49312, 49313 and 49319 and Industry Sector Number 42 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and which meet the following qualifications: (1) construction with an initial capital invest ment of at least Five Million Dollars ($5, 000,000.00), (2) employment of at least one hundred (100) full- time-equivalent employees, as certified by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, (3) payment of wages or salaries to its employees at a wage which equals or exceeds one hundred seventy-five percent (175%) of the f ederally SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 5 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 mandated minimum wage, as certified by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and (4) commencement of construction on or after November 1, 2007, with construction to be com pleted within three (3) years from the dat e of the commencement of construction. Eligibility as a manufacturing facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall be established, subject to review by the Tax Commission, by annually filing an affidavit with the T ax Commission stating that the facility so qualifies and containing s uch other information as required by the Tax Commission. Provided, eating and drinking places, as well as other retail establishments, shall not qualify as manufacturing facilities for purposes of this section, nor shall centrall y assessed properties. Eligibility as a manufacturing facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall be established, subject to review by the Tax Commission, by annually filing an application with the Tax Commission stating that the facility so qualifies and containing such other information as required by the Tax Commission; 2. “Facility” and “facilities” means and includes the land, buildings, structures, improvements, machinery, fixtures, equipment and other personal property used directly and exclusively in the manufacturing process; and SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 6 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. “Research and development ” means activities directly related to and conducted for the purpose of discovering, enhancing, increasing or improving future or existing products or processes or productivity. C. The following provisions shall apply: 1. A manufacturing concern shall be entitled to the exemption herein provided for each new manufacturing facility constructed, each existing manufacturing facility acquired and the expa nsion of existing manufacturing facilities on the same site, as such terms are defined by Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution and by this section; 2. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 5 of this subsection, no manufacturing concern shall receive more than one five-year exemption for any one manufact uring facility unless the expansion which qualifies the manufacturing facility for an additional five-year exemption meets the requirements of paragraph 4 of this subsection and the emplo yment level established for any previous exemption is maintained; 3. Any exemption as to the expansion of an existing manufacturing facility shall be limited to the increase in ad valorem taxes directly attributable to the expansion; 4. Except as provide d in paragraphs 5 and, 6 and 10 of this subsection, all initial appli cations for any exemption for a new, SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 7 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 acquired or expanded manufacturing facility shall be granted only if: a. there is a net increase in annualized base payroll over the initial payroll o f at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) if the fa cility is located in a county with a population of fewer than seventy-five thousand (75,000), according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census, while maintaining or increasing base payroll in subsequent years, or at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,0 00.00) if the facility is located in a county with a population of seventy-five thousand (75,000) or more, according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census, while maintaining or increasing base payroll in subsequent years; provided the payroll require ment of this subparagraph shall be waived for claims for exemptions, including claims previously denied or on appeal on March 3, 2010, for all initial applications for exemption filed on or after January 1, 2004, and on or before March 31, 2009, and all su bsequent annual exemption applications filed related to the initial application for exemption, for an applicant, if the facility has been located in Oklahoma for at least fifteen (15) years engaged in marine engine SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 8 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 manufacturing as defined under U.S. Indus try Number 333618 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and has maintained an average employment of five hundred (500) or more full-time-equivalent employees over a ten -year period. Any applicant that qualifies for the payroll requirement waiver as outlin ed in the previous sentence and subsequently closes its Oklahoma manufacturing plant prior to January 1, 2012, may be disqualified for exemption and subject to recapture. For an applicant engaged in paperboard manufacturing as defined under U.S. Industry Number 322130 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, union master payouts paid by the buyer of the facility to specified individuals employed by the facility at the time of purchase, as specified under the purchase agreement, shall be excluded from payroll for purposes of this section. In order to provide certainty with respect to investments in manufacturing facilities pertaining to all initial applications for exemption filed on or after January 1, 2016, the following definitions shall apply: (1) “base payroll” shall mean total payroll adjusted for any nonrecurring bonuses, exercise of stock SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 9 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 option or stock rights and other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll, and (2) “initial payroll” shall mean base payro ll for the year immediately preceding the initial construction, acquisition or expansion. The Tax Commission shall verify payroll information through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission by using reports from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for the calendar year i mmediately preceding the year for which initial application is made for base-line payroll, which must be maintained or increased for each subsequent year; provided, a manufacturing facili ty shall have the option of excluding from its payroll, for purposes of this section: i. payments to sole proprietors, members of a partnership, members of a limited liability company who own at least ten percent (10%) of the capital of the limited liability company or stockholder-employees of a corporation who own at least ten percent (10%) of the stock in the corporation, and SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 10 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ii. any nonrecurring bonuses, exercise of stock option or stock rights or other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll numbers as reported by the Oklaho ma Employment Security Commission. A manufacturing facility electing either option shall indicate such election upon its application for an exemption under this section. Any manufacturing facility electing either option shall submit such information as t he Tax Commission may require in order to verify payroll information. Payroll information submitted pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be submitted to the Tax Commission and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 205 of this title, and b. the facility offers, or will offer within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of employment, a basic health benefits plan to the full -time-equivalent employees of the facility, which is determined by t he Department of Commerce to consist of th e elements SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 11 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 specified in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 3603 of this title or elements substantially equivalent thereto. For purposes of this section, calculation of the amount of increased base payroll shall be measured from the s tart of initial construction or expansion to the completion of such construction or expansion or for three (3) years from the start of initial construction or expansion, whichever occurs first. The amount of increased base payroll shall include payroll fo r full-time- equivalent employees in this state who are employed by an entity other than the facility which has previously or is currently qualified to receive an exemption pursuant to the provisions of this section and who are leased or otherwise provided to the facility, if such employment did not exist in this state prior to the start of initial construction or expansion of the facility. The manufacturing concern shall submit an affidavit to the Tax Commission, signed by an officer, stating that the cons truction, acquisition or expansion of the facility will result in a net increase in the annualized base payroll as required by this paragraph and that full -time-equivalent employees of the facility are or will be offered a basic health benefits plan as req uired by this paragraph. If, after the completion of such construction or expansion or after three (3) years from the start of initial construction or expansion, whichever occurs first, the construction, SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 12 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 acquisition or expansion has not resulted in a net increase in the amount of annualized base payroll, if required, or any other qualification specified in this paragraph has not been met, the manufacturing concern shall pay an amount equal to the amount of any exemption granted, including penalties and int erest thereon, to the Tax Commission for deposit to the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund; 5. If a facility fails to meet the base payroll requirement of subparagraph a of paragraph 4 of this subsection, the payroll requirement shall be waived for claims for exemptions, including claims previously denied or on appeal on June 1, 2009, for all initial applications for exemption filed on or after January 1, 2004, and on or before March 31, 2009, and all subsequent annual exemption applications filed related to su ch initial application for exemption, for an applicant, if the facility: a. has been located for at least five (5) years as of March 31, 2009, in a county in Oklahoma with a population of six hundred thousand (600, 000) or more, b. is owned by an applicant that has been engaged in manufacturing as defined under U.S. Industry Numbers 323110, 323111, 323121 and 323122 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, c. is owned by an applicant that maintains a workforce of at least three hundred (300) employees on June 1 , 2009, SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 13 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 d. is owned by an applicant that has filed multiple applications for exemption pursuant to this section, and e. is owned by an applicant that operates at least one facility in this state of at least seven h undred thirty thousand (730,000) square fe et on June 1, 2009. In the event that any applicant obtaining a waiver of the payroll requirement pursuant to this paragraph ceases to operate all of its facilities in this state on or before a date that is four (4 ) years after any initial application for an exemption is filed by su ch applicant, all sums of property taxes exempted under this paragraph through a waiver of the payroll requirement that relate to such application shall become due and payable as if such sums were assessed in the year in which th e applicant ceases to opera te all of its facilities in the state; 6. Any new, acquired or expanded automotive final assembly manufacturing facility which does not meet the requirements of paragraph 4 of this subse ction shall be granted an exemption only i f all other requirements of this section are met and only if the investment cost of the construction, acquisition or expansion of the manufacturing facility is Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00) or mor e and the manufacturing facility retains a n average employment of one thousand seven hundred fifty (1,750) or more full-time-equivalent employees in the year in which the SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 14 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 exemption is initially granted and in each of the four (4) subsequent years only if a n average employment of one thousand seven hundred fifty (1,750) or m ore full-time-equivalent employees is maintained in the subsequent year. Any property installed to replace property damaged by the tornado or natural disaster that occurred May 8, 2003, may continue to receive the exemption prov ided in this paragraph for the full five-year period based on the value of the previously qualifying assets as of January 1, 2003. The exemption shall continue in effect as long as all other qualifications in this paragraph are met. If the average employ ment of one thousand seven hundred fifty (1,750) or more full-time- equivalent employees is reduced as a result of temporary layoffs because of a tornado or natural disaster on May 8, 2003, then the average employment requirement shall be waived for year 20 03 of the exemption period. Calculation of the number of employees shall be made in the same manner as required under Section 2357.4 of this title for an investment tax credit. As used in this paragraph, “expand” and “expansion” shall mean and include an y increase to the size or scope of a facility as well as any renovation, restoration, replacement or remodeling of a facility which permits the manufacturing of a new or redesigned product; 7. Any new, acquired, o r expanded computer data processing, data preparation, or information processing services provider classified in Industrial Group Number 7374 of the SIC Manual, latest SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 15 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 revision, and U.S. Industry Number 514210 of the North American Industrial Classificatio n System (NAICS) Manual, latest revision, may apply for exemptions un der this section for each year in which new, acquired, or expanded capital improvements to the facility are made if: a. there is a net increase in annualized payroll of the applicant at any facility or facilities of the applicant in this state of at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), which is attributable to the capital improvements, or a net increase of Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00) or more in capital improvements, while maintaining or increasing payroll at the facility or faci lities in this state which are included in the application, and b. the facility offers, or will offer within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of employment of new employees attributable to the capital improvements, a basic health benefits plan to the full-time-equivalent employees of the facility, which is determined by the Department of Commerce to consist of the elements specified in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 3603 of this title or elements substantially equivalent t hereto; SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 16 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8. Effective January 1, 2017, an entity engaged in electric power generation by means of wind, as described by the North American Industry Classification System, No. 221119, shal l not be defined as a qualifying manufactu ring concern for purposes o f the exemption otherwise authorized pursuant to Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution or qualify as a “manufacturing facility” as defined in this section. No initial appl ication for exemption shall be filed by or accepted from an entity en gaged in electric power generation by means of wind on or after January 1, 2018; and 9. An entity or applicant engaged in an industry as defined under U.S. Industry Number 324110 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, which has a pplied for or been granted an exemption for a time period which began on or after calendar year 2012 and before calendar year 2016 but which did not meet the payroll requirements of subparagraph a of paragraph 4 of this subsection because of nonrecurring bonuses, exercise of stock o ption or stock rights or other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll in the previous year, shall be allowed an exemption, beginning with calendar year 2016, for the number of years, including the calendar year for which the exemption was denied, remaining in the entity’s five-year exemption period, provided such entity attains or increases payroll at or above the initial or base payroll established for the exemption ; and SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 17 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10. A facility engaged in manufacturing defined under U.S. Industry Number 327310 of the NAICS Manual shall have the payroll requirements of paragraph 4 of this subsection waived for tax year 2021, which is based in part on the 2020 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma Employment Se curity Commission, and may continue to receive the exemption for the five-year period provided in this section only if all other requirements of this section are met. D. 1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, the five-year period of exemption from ad valorem taxe s for any qualifying manufacturing facility property shall begin on January 1 following the initial qualifying use of the property in the manufacturing process. 2. The five-year period of exemption from ad valorem taxes for any qualifying manufacturing fa cility, as specified in subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph, which is locat ed within a tax incentive district created pursuant to the Local Developm ent Act by a county having a population of at least five hundred thousand (50 0,000), according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census, shall begin on January 1 following the expi ration or termination of the ad valorem exemption, abatement, or other in centive provided through the tax incentive district. Facilities qualifying p ursuant to this subsection shall include: SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 18 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 a. a manufacturing facility as defined in subparagraph c of paragraph 1 of subsection B of this section, and b. an establishment primaril y engaged in distribution as defined under Industry Number 49311 of the North American Industry Classifi cation System for which the initial capital investment was at least One Hundred Eighty Million Dollars ($180,000,000.00); provided, that the qualifying job creation and depreciable property investment occurred prior to calendar y ear 2017 but not earlier th an calendar year 2013. E. Any person, firm or corporation claiming the exempti on herein provided for shall file each year for which exemption is claimed, an application therefor with the county assessor of the county in which the new, expanded or acquired facility is located. The application shall be on a form or forms prescribed b y the Tax Commission, and shall be filed on or before March 15, except as provided in Section 2902.1 of this title, of each year in which the facility desires to take the exempt ion or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt by such person, firm or c orporation of notice of valuation increase, whichever is later. In a cas e where completion of the facility or facilities will occur after January 1 of a given year, a facility may apply to claim the ad valorem tax exemption for that year. If such facilit y is found to be qualified for exemption, the ad valorem tax exemption pr ovided for herein SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 19 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 shall be granted for that entire year and shall apply to th e ad valorem valuation as o f January 1 of that given year. For applicants which qualify under the provisi ons of subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection B of this section, the application shall include a copy of the affidavit and any other information required to be filed with the Tax Commission. F. The application shall be examined by the county assessor and approved or rejected in the same manner as provided by law for approval or rejection of claims for homestead exemptions. The taxpayer shall have the same right of review b y and appeal from the county board of equalization, in the same manner and subj ect to the same requirements as provided by law for review and appeals concerning homestead exemption claims. Approved applications shall be filed by the county assessor with t he Tax Commission no later than June 15, except as provided in Section 2902.1 o f this title, of the year in which the facility desires to take the exemp tion. Incomplete applications and applications filed after June 15 will be declared null and void by th e Tax Commission. In the event that a taxpayer qualified to receive an exempti on pursuant to the provisions of this section shall make payment of ad va lorem taxes in excess of the amount due, the county treasurer shall have the authority to credit the tax payer’s real or personal property tax overpayment against current taxes due. T he county treasurer may SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB498 SFLR Page 20 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 establish a schedule of up to five (5) years of c redit to resolve the overpayment. G. Nothing herein shall in any manner affe ct, alter or impair any law relating to the assessment of property, and all property, real or personal, wh ich may be entitled to exemption hereunder shall be valued and assessed a s is other like property and as provided by law. The valuation and assessmen t of property for which an exemption is granted hereunder shall be performed by the Tax Commission. H. The Tax Commission shall have the authority and duty to prescribe forms and to promulgate rules as may be necessary to carry out and administer the term s and provisions of this se ction. SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the prese rvation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its pas sage and approval. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS March 3, 2021 - DO PASS