2023 -- H 6186
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LC002081
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- REBUILD RHODE ISLAND
TAX CREDIT
Introduced By: Representatives Potter, and Voas
Date Introduced: March 22, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
(Executive Office of Commerce)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 42-64.20-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-64.20 entitled 1
"Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
42-64.20-5. Tax credits. [Effective January 1, 2023.] 3
(a) An applicant meeting the requirements of this chapter may be allowed a credit as set 4
forth hereinafter against taxes imposed upon such person under applicable provisions of title 44 of 5
the general laws for a qualified development project. 6
(b) To be eligible as a qualified development project entitled to tax credits, an applicant’s 7
chief executive officer or equivalent officer shall demonstrate to the commerce corporation, at the 8
time of application, that: 9
(1) The applicant has committed a capital investment or owner equity of not less than 10
twenty percent (20%) of the total project cost; 11
(2) There is a project financing gap in which after taking into account all available private 12
and public funding sources, the project is not likely to be accomplished by private enterprise 13
without the tax credits described in this chapter; and 14
(3) The project fulfills the state’s policy and planning objectives and priorities in that: 15
(i) The applicant will, at the discretion of the commerce corporation, obtain a tax 16
stabilization agreement from the municipality in which the real estate project is located on such 17
terms as the commerce corporation deems acceptable; 18
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(ii) It (A) Is a commercial development consisting of at least 25,000 square feet occupied 1
by at least one business employing at least 25 full-time employees after construction or such 2
additional full-time employees as the commerce corporation may determine; (B) Is a multi-family 3
residential development in a new, adaptive reuse, certified historic structure, or recognized 4
historical structure consisting of at least 20,000 square feet and having at least 20 residential units 5
in a hope community; or (C) Is a mixed-use development in a new, adaptive reuse, certified historic 6
structure, or recognized historical structure consisting of at least 25,000 square feet occupied by at 7
least one business, subject to further definition through rules and regulations promulgated by the 8
commerce corporation; and 9
(iii) Involves a total project cost of not less than $5,000,000, except for a qualified 10
development project located in a hope community or redevelopment area designated under § 45-11
32-4 in which event the commerce corporation shall have the discretion to modify the minimum 12
project cost requirement. 13
(4) For construction projects in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), all construction 14
workers shall be paid in accordance with the wages and benefits required pursuant to chapter 13 of 15
title 37 with all contractors and subcontractors required to file certified payrolls on a monthly basis 16
for all work completed in the preceding month on a uniform form prescribed by the director of 17
labor and training. Failure to follow the requirements pursuant to chapter 13 of title 37 shall 18
constitute a material violation and a material breach of the agreement with the state. The commerce 19
corporation, in consultation with the director of labor and training and the tax administrator, shall 20
promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the enforcement of this 21
subsection. 22
(5) Subsection (b)(4) of this section shall not apply to any project that is the subject of an 23
application for tax credits under this chapter that is submitted to the commerce corporation before 24
January 1, 2023. 25
(c) The commerce corporation shall develop separate, streamlined application processes 26
for the issuance of rebuild RI tax credits for each of the following: 27
(1) Qualified development projects that involve certified historic structures; 28
(2) Qualified development projects that involve recognized historical structures; 29
(3) Qualified development projects that involve at least one manufacturer; and 30
(4) Qualified development projects that include affordable housing or workforce housing. 31
(d) Applications made for a historic structure or recognized historic structure tax credit 32
under chapter 33.6 of title 44 shall be considered for tax credits under this chapter. The division of 33
taxation, at the expense of the commerce corporation, shall provide communications from the 34
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commerce corporation to those who have applied for and are in the queue awaiting the offer of tax 1
credits pursuant to chapter 33.6 of title 44 regarding their potential eligibility for the rebuild RI tax 2
credit program. 3
(e) Applicants (1) Who have received the notice referenced in subsection (d) above and 4
who may be eligible for a tax credit pursuant to chapter 33.6 of title 44, (2) Whose application 5
involves a certified historic structure or recognized historical structure, or (3) Whose project is 6
occupied by at least one manufacturer shall be exempt from the requirements of subsections 7
(b)(3)(ii) and (b)(3)(iii). The following procedure shall apply to such applicants: 8
(i) The division of taxation shall remain responsible for determining the eligibility of an 9
applicant for tax credits awarded under chapter 33.6 of title 44; 10
(ii) The commerce corporation shall retain sole authority for determining the eligibility of 11
an applicant for tax credits awarded under this chapter; 12
(iii) The commerce corporation shall not award in excess of fifteen percent (15%) of the 13
annual amount authorized in any fiscal year to applicants seeking tax credits pursuant to this 14
subsection (e); and 15
(iv) No Subject to subsection (b)(5) of this section, no tax credits shall be awarded under 16
this chapter unless the commerce corporation receives confirmation from the department of labor 17
and training that there has been compliance with the prevailing wage requirements set forth in 18
subsection (b)(4) of this section. 19
(f) Maximum project credit. 20
(1) For qualified development projects, the maximum tax credit allowed under this chapter 21
shall be the lesser of (i) Thirty percent (30%) of the total project cost; or (ii) The amount needed to 22
close a project financing gap (after taking into account all other private and public funding sources 23
available to the project), as determined by the commerce corporation. 24
(2) The credit allowed pursuant to this chapter, inclusive of any sales and use tax 25
exemptions allowed pursuant to this chapter, shall not exceed fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) 26
for any qualified development project under this chapter; except as provided in subsection (f)(3) of 27
this section; provided however, any qualified development project that exceeds the project cap upon 28
passage of this act shall be deemed not to exceed the cap, shall not be reduced, nor shall it be further 29
increased. No building or qualified development project to be completed in phases or in multiple 30
projects shall exceed the maximum project credit of fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for all 31
phases or projects involved in the rehabilitation of the building. Provided, however, that for 32
purposes of this subsection and no more than once in a given fiscal year, the commerce corporation 33
may consider the development of land and buildings by a developer on the “I-195 land” as defined 34
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in § 42-64.24-3(6) as a separate, qualified development project from a qualified development 1
project by a tenant or owner of a commercial condominium or similar legal interest including 2
leasehold improvement, fit out, and capital investment. Such qualified development project by a 3
tenant or owner of a commercial condominium or similar legal interest on the I-195 land may be 4
exempted from subsection (f)(1)(i) of this section. 5
(3) The credit allowed pursuant to this chapter, inclusive of any sales and use tax 6
exemptions allowed pursuant to this chapter, shall not exceed twenty-five million dollars 7
($25,000,000) for the project for which the I-195 redevelopment district was authorized to enter 8
into a purchase and sale agreement for parcels 42 and P4 on December 19, 2018, provided that 9
project is approved for credits pursuant to this chapter by the commerce corporation. 10
(g) Credits available under this chapter shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the project 11
cost, provided, however, that the applicant shall be eligible for additional tax credits of not more 12
than ten percent (10%) of the project cost, if the qualified development project meets any of the 13
following criteria or other additional criteria determined by the commerce corporation from time 14
to time in response to evolving economic or market conditions: 15
(1) The project includes adaptive reuse or development of a recognized historical structure; 16
(2) The project is undertaken by or for a targeted industry; 17
(3) The project is located in a transit-oriented development area; 18
(4) The project includes residential development of which at least twenty percent (20%) of 19
the residential units are designated as affordable housing or workforce housing; 20
(5) The project includes the adaptive reuse of property subject to the requirements of the 21
industrial property remediation and reuse act, § 23-19.14-1 et seq.; or 22
(6) The project includes commercial facilities constructed in accordance with the minimum 23
environmental and sustainability standards, as certified by the commerce corporation pursuant to 24
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or other equivalent standards. 25
(h) Maximum aggregate credits. The aggregate sum authorized pursuant to this chapter, 26
inclusive of any sales and use tax exemptions allowed pursuant to this chapter, shall not exceed 27
two hundred ten million dollars ($210,000,000), excluding any tax credits allowed pursuant to 28
subsection (f)(3) of this section. 29
(i) Tax credits shall not be allowed under this chapter prior to the taxable year in which the 30
project is placed in service. 31
(j) The amount of a tax credit allowed under this chapter shall be allowable to the taxpayer 32
in up to five, annual increments; no more than thirty percent (30%) and no less than fifteen percent 33
(15%) of the total credits allowed to a taxpayer under this chapter may be allowable for any taxable 34
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year. 1
(k) If the portion of the tax credit allowed under this chapter exceeds the taxpayer’s total 2
tax liability for the year in which the relevant portion of the credit is allowed, the amount that 3
exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability may be carried forward for credit against the taxes imposed for 4
the succeeding four (4) years, or until the full credit is used, whichever occurs first. Credits allowed 5
to a partnership, a limited-liability company taxed as a partnership, or multiple owners of property 6
shall be passed through to the persons designated as partners, members, or owners respectively pro 7
rata or pursuant to an executed agreement among persons designated as partners, members, or 8
owners documenting an alternate distribution method without regard to their sharing of other tax 9
or economic attributes of such entity. 10
(l) The commerce corporation, in consultation with the division of taxation, shall establish, 11
by regulation, the process for the assignment, transfer, or conveyance of tax credits. 12
(m) For purposes of this chapter, any assignment or sales proceeds received by the taxpayer 13
for its assignment or sale of the tax credits allowed pursuant to this section shall be exempt from 14
taxation under title 44. If a tax credit is subsequently revoked or adjusted, the seller’s tax calculation 15
for the year of revocation or adjustment shall be increased by the total amount of the sales proceeds, 16
without proration, as a modification under chapter 30 of title 44. In the event that the seller is not a 17
natural person, the seller’s tax calculation under chapter 11, 13, 14, or 17 of title 44, as applicable, 18
for the year of revocation, or adjustment, shall be increased by including the total amount of the 19
sales proceeds without proration. 20
(n) The tax credit allowed under this chapter may be used as a credit against corporate 21
income taxes imposed under chapter 11, 13, 14, or 17, of title 44, or may be used as a credit against 22
personal income taxes imposed under chapter 30 of title 44 for owners of pass-through entities such 23
as a partnership, a limited-liability company taxed as a partnership, or multiple owners of property. 24
(o) In the case of a corporation, this credit is only allowed against the tax of a corporation 25
included in a consolidated return that qualifies for the credit and not against the tax of other 26
corporations that may join in the filing of a consolidated tax return. 27
(p) Upon request of a taxpayer and subject to annual appropriation, the state shall redeem 28
this credit, in whole or in part, for ninety percent (90%) of the value of the tax credit. The division 29
of taxation, in consultation with the commerce corporation, shall establish by regulation a 30
redemption process for tax credits. 31
(q) Projects eligible to receive a tax credit under this chapter may, at the discretion of the 32
commerce corporation, be exempt from sales and use taxes imposed on the purchase of the 33
following classes of personal property only to the extent utilized directly and exclusively in the 34
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project: (1) Furniture, fixtures, and equipment, except automobiles, trucks, or other motor vehicles; 1
or (2) Other materials, including construction materials and supplies, that are depreciable and have 2
a useful life of one year or more and are essential to the project. 3
(r) The commerce corporation shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration 4
and certification of additional tax credit under subsection (g), including criteria for the eligibility, 5
evaluation, prioritization, and approval of projects that qualify for such additional tax credit. 6
(s) The commerce corporation shall not have any obligation to make any award or grant 7
any benefits under this chapter. 8
SECTION 2. Section 44-33.6-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 44-33.6 entitled "Historic 9
Preservation Tax Credits 2013" is hereby amended to read as follows: 10
44-33.6-3. Tax credit. [Effective January 1, 2023.] 11
(a) Subject to the maximum credit provisions set forth in subsections (c) and (d) below, 12
any person, firm, partnership, trust, estate, limited liability company, corporation (whether for 13
profit or nonprofit) or other business entity that incurs qualified rehabilitation expenditures for the 14
substantial rehabilitation of a certified historic structure, provided the rehabilitation meets standards 15
consistent with the standards of the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior for 16
rehabilitation as certified by the commission and said person, firm, partnership, trust, estate, limited 17
liability company, corporation or other business entity is not a social club as defined in § 44-33.6-18
2, shall be entitled to a credit against the taxes imposed on such person or entity pursuant to chapter 19
11, 12, 13, 14, 17, or 30 of this title in an amount equal to the following: 20
(1) Twenty percent (20%) of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures; or 21
(2) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures provided that 22
either: 23
(i) At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total rentable area of the certified historic 24
structure will be made available for a trade or business; or 25
(ii) The entire rentable area located on the first floor of the certified historic structure will 26
be made available for a trade or business. 27
(b) Tax credits allowed pursuant to this chapter shall be allowed for the taxable year in 28
which such certified historic structure or an identifiable portion of the structure is placed in service 29
provided that the substantial rehabilitation test is met for such year. 30
(c) Maximum project credit. The credit allowed pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed 31
five million dollars ($5,000,000) for any certified rehabilitation project under this chapter. No 32
building to be completed in phases or in multiple projects shall exceed the maximum project credit 33
of five million dollars ($5,000,000) for all phases or projects involved in the rehabilitation of such 34
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building. 1
(d) Maximum aggregate credits. The aggregate credits authorized to be reserved pursuant 2
to this chapter shall not exceed sums estimated to be available in the historic preservation tax credit 3
trust fund pursuant to this chapter. 4
(e) Subject to the exception provided in subsection (g) of this section, if the amount of the 5
tax credit exceeds the taxpayer’s total tax liability for the year in which the substantially 6
rehabilitated property is placed in service, the amount that exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability may 7
be carried forward for credit against the taxes imposed for the succeeding ten (10) years, or until 8
the full credit is used, whichever occurs first for the tax credits. Credits allowed to a partnership, a 9
limited liability company taxed as a partnership, or multiple owners of property shall be passed 10
through to the persons designated as partners, members, or owners respectively pro rata or pursuant 11
to an executed agreement among such persons designated as partners, members, or owners 12
documenting an alternate distribution method without regard to their sharing of other tax or 13
economic attributes of such entity. Credits may be allocated to partners, members, or owners that 14
are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3), section (c)(4) or section 501(c)(6) of the U.S. 15
Code and these partners, members, or owners must be treated as taxpayers for purposes of this 16
section. 17
(f) If the taxpayer has not claimed the tax credits in whole or part, taxpayers eligible for 18
the tax credits may assign, transfer, or convey the credits, in whole or in part, by sale or otherwise 19
to any individual or entity, including, but not limited to, condominium owners in the event the 20
certified historic structure is converted into condominiums and assignees of the credits that have 21
not claimed the tax credits in whole or part may assign, transfer, or convey the credits, in whole or 22
in part, by sale or otherwise to any individual or entity. The assignee of the tax credits may use 23
acquired credits to offset up to one hundred percent (100%) of the tax liabilities otherwise imposed 24
pursuant to chapter 11, 12, 13 (other than the tax imposed under § 44-13-13), 14, 17, or 30 of this 25
title. The assignee may apply the tax credit against taxes imposed on the assignee until the end of 26
the tenth calendar year after the year in which the substantially rehabilitated property is placed in 27
service or until the full credit assigned is used, whichever occurs first. Fiscal year assignees may 28
claim the credit until the expiration of the fiscal year that ends within the tenth year after the year 29
in which the substantially rehabilitated property is placed in service. The assignor shall perfect the 30
transfer by notifying the state of Rhode Island division of taxation, in writing, within thirty (30) 31
calendar days following the effective date of the transfer and shall provide any information as may 32
be required by the division of taxation to administer and carry out the provisions of this section. 33
For purposes of this chapter, any assignment or sales proceeds received by the taxpayer for 34
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its assignment or sale of the tax credits allowed pursuant to this section shall be exempt from this 1
title. If a tax credit is subsequently recaptured under this chapter, revoked, or adjusted, the seller’s 2
tax calculation for the year of revocation, recapture, or adjustment shall be increased by the total 3
amount of the sales proceeds, without proration, as a modification under chapter 30 of this title. In 4
the event that the seller is not a natural person, the seller’s tax calculation under chapter 11, 12, 13 5
(other than with respect to the tax imposed under § 44-13-13), 14, 17, or 30 of this title, as 6
applicable, for the year of revocation, recapture, or adjustment, shall be increased by including the 7
total amount of the sales proceeds without proration. 8
(g) Credits allowed to partners, members, or owners that are exempt from taxation under 9
section 501(c)(3), section (c)(4) or section 501(c)(6) of the U.S. Code, and only said credits, shall 10
be fully refundable. 11
(h) Substantial rehabilitation of property that either: 12
(1) Is exempt from real property tax; 13
(2) Is a social club; or 14
(3) Consists of a single-family home or a property that contains less than three (3) 15
residential apartments or condominiums shall be ineligible for the tax credits authorized under this 16
chapter; provided, however, a scattered site development with five (5) or more residential units in 17
the aggregate (which may include single-family homes) shall be eligible for tax credit. In the event 18
a certified historic structure undergoes a substantial rehabilitation pursuant to this chapter and 19
within twenty-four (24) months after issuance of a certificate of completed work the property 20
becomes exempt from real property tax, the taxpayer’s tax for the year shall be increased by the 21
total amount of credit actually used against the tax. 22
(i) In the case of a corporation, this credit is only allowed against the tax of a corporation 23
included in a consolidated return that qualifies for the credit and not against the tax of other 24
corporations that may join in the filing of a consolidated tax return. 25
(j) For construction projects in excess of ten million dollars ($10,000,000), all construction 26
workers shall be paid in accordance with the wages and benefits required pursuant to chapter 13 of 27
title 37 and all contractors and subcontractors shall file certified payrolls on a monthly basis for all 28
work completed in the preceding month on a uniform form prescribed by the director of labor and 29
training. Failure to follow the requirements pursuant to chapter 13 of title 37 shall constitute a 30
material violation and a material breach of the agreement with the state. The tax administrator, in 31
consultation with the director of labor and training, shall promulgate such rules and regulations as 32
are necessary to implement the enforcement of this subsection. 33
(k) Subsection (j) of this section shall not apply to any project that is the subject of an 34
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application for tax credits under this chapter that is submitted to the division of taxation before 1
January 1, 2023. 2
(k) No (l) Subject to the exception provided in subsection (k) of this section, no tax credits 3
shall be awarded under this chapter unless the division of taxation receives confirmation from the 4
department of labor and training that there has been compliance with the prevailing wage 5
requirements set forth in subsection (j) of this section. 6
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 7
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- REBUILD RHODE ISLAND
TAX CREDIT
***
This act would provide that prevailing wage requirements for rebuild Rhode Island and 1
historic preservation tax credits do not apply to project applications submitted prior to January 1, 2
2023. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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