Sponsor: Rep Kevin Austin, District 136 (R)

Recommendation: Oppose

This legislation creates a new form of subsidy for a very specific business. After first allowing municipalities to enter into loan/lease agreements for technology businesses desiring a facility, it then exempts the business from all state and local sales taxes on the property involved.

It further exempts data storage center facilities from state and local sales and sue tax for all machinery, equipment, computers, electricity energy, gas, water and other utilities, including telecommunication and internet services.

HB 497 clearly creates a new subsidy for a very specific classification of private companies.