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Minutes for SB325 - Committee on Commerce
Short Title
Establishing the transformation of passenger and freight vehicle industry program to attract businesses engaged in electric motor vehicle and hydrogen-powered vehicle production by offering qualified companies that meet certain requirements an investment tax credit, retention of a percentage of total payroll tax, reimbursement of a percentage of eligible employee training and education expenses and a sales tax exemption for construction costs of the qualified company’s qualified business facility.
Minutes Content for Wed, Apr 26, 2023
Vice-Chairperson Dietrich opened the hearing on SB 325.
Staff provided a briefing on the bill. (Attachment 10)
Paul Hughes, Deputy Secretary for Business Development, Kansas Department of Commerce, appeared in favor of the bill. (Attachment 1) The bill gives Kansas the tool it needs to protect the future of the automotive industry in Kansas and shows the world that Kansas is open for business. The bill creates a new economic development tool for job creation activity, capital investments made by the manufacturers, and training partnerships with the community colleges. This tool will allow the state to continue to capture future investments of the automotive industry and build off the established momentum that has been earned from our bipartisan efforts to make Kansas the best place in the country to do business. SB 325 establishes clear eligibility requirements, includes meaningful claw-backs and requires all benefits to be earned after jobs are created and investment is made.
Mr. Hughes addressed questions and concerns from the Committee.
Written testimony in favor of the bill was provided by:
D. Mitch Robinson, 1st Vice President/Co-Chairman Legislative Committee, Kansas Economic Development Alliance (Attachment 2)
Greg Kindle, President, Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC) (Attachment 3)
Tim McKee, CEO, Olathe Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 4)
Joe Hudson, Regional Political Director/Representative Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council (Attachment 5)
Ty Dragoo, SMART-TD Kansas State Legislative Board Director/Chairman (Attachment 6)
Jake Miller, Executive Director of the Working Kansas Alliance (Attachment 7)
Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs, The Kansas Chamber (Attachment 8)
Taylor Hogue, Deputy Director, South East Kansas Regional Planning Commission, (SEKRPC) (Attachment 9)
Andy Sanchez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Kansas AFL-CIO (Attachment 11)
Wade H. Kiefer, Business Agent, IBEW Local 124 (Attachment 12)
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 325.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:54 am.
