“This bill will provide state and local policymakers the information necessary to decide whether to continue, modify or repeal economic development incentives based upon real data and independent analysis,” said Rep. Koch. HB 1020 requires the CSTFP to complete a comprehensive review of all state and local tax incentives over a five-year period beginning in the 2014 interim and requires the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency to conduct the evaluation and analysis of each incentive scheduled for review by the CSTFP. The five-year incentive review would cover exemptions, deductions, credits, preferential rates and other tax benefits that: (1) reduce the amount of a tax that would otherwise be due the state; (2) result in a tax refund in excess of any tax due; or (3) reduce the amount of property taxes that would otherwise be due to a political subdivision of the state. The review would include programs under which political subdivisions dedicate revenue to provide improvements or to retire bonds issued to pay for improvements in an economic or sports development area, a community revitalization area, an enterprise zone or a tax increment financing district. “I appreciate the support my bill has received in both chambers,” said Rep. Koch. “This bill is a great step towards more transparency and accountability.” Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Buck Creek) sponsored the bill in the Senate. -30-
Rep. Koch serves all or parts of Brown, Lawrence, Monroe, Jackson and Johnson counties.
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