H3249 — An Act relative to creating manufacturing and economic development in the Commonwealth

Summary

An Act relative to creating manufacturing and economic development in the Commonwealth

Bill Text

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The bill establishes new tax credits for employers and business corporations that invest in high school vocational programs, creates a high school trade partnership program, and modifies reimbursement rates for vocational school construction.

• Chapter 62, Section 6O

  Section 6O. (a) A qualifying employer that is not a business corporation subject to the excise under chapter 63 shall be allowed a credit against the tax liability imposed by this chapter equal to 100 per cent of the money it expended for the high school trade partnership program, established in section 5C of chapter 74, in a taxable year, with a maximum credit of $100,000 per qualifying employer in any 1 taxable year.

  Introduces a tax credit for qualifying employers investing in the high school trade partnership program.

• Chapter 63, Section 31O

  Section 31O. (a) A qualifying business corporation engaged in business in the commonwealth shall be allowed a credit against its excise due under this chapter in an amount equal to 100 per cent of the money it expended for the high school trade partnership program, established in section 5C of chapter 74, in a taxable year, with a maximum credit of $100,000 per business corporation in any 1 taxable year.

  Introduces a tax credit for business corporations investing in the high school trade partnership program.

• Chapter 74, Section 5C

  Section 5C. (a) The department shall establish a high school trade partnership program to allow public high schools to partner with local private employers for the purposes of providing students with vocational-technical education and apprentice opportunities. The program shall include academic and vocational credit for at school and on-site instruction and training. (b)The department shall promulgate regulations to establish the minimum requirements for the program, including: (i) criteria for participation by private employers; (ii) minimum academic requirements for participating students; (iii) minimum onsite supervision and safety standards; (iv) English language learner assistance, and (v) fulfillment of in-demand skills. (c) A school committee may submit an application to the department of elementary and secondary education for the participation of a public high school in the program. (d) Each school district or municipality participating in the program shall appoint an advisory committee, pursuant to section 6 of this chapter. The advisory committee shall evaluate and approve applications for participation in the program submitted by students and private employers.

  Creates a high school trade partnership program to enhance vocational-technical education through partnerships with local employers.

• Chapter 70B, Section 10(d)

  (d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the authority shall be authorized and directed to add twenty (20) percentage points to the project reimbursement rates for regional vocational-technical high school and county, regional and independent agricultural high school construction so that reimbursement rates for such projects are not less than 75% nor more than 90% of the eligible costs. Further, the authority shall add five (5) percentage points to the reimbursement rate for any project that includes state-approved vocational-technical education programs as defined in Chapter 74 of the General Laws aligned with priorities specifically identified in the Regional Labor Market Blueprint for the region in which the school is located. However, additional percentage points shall not be awarded unless the school currently offers five (5) or more Chapter 74 programs. In no case shall the total reimbursement for a project exceed 90% of eligible costs.

  Adjusts reimbursement rates for vocational school construction projects based on program alignment and specific criteria.

• Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule to the contrary, the office of administration and finance shall implement an incremental increase to the per-pupil foundation rate for vocational and technical school students, equivalent to the inflation index.

  Mandates an incremental increase to the funding rate for vocational and technical school students based on inflation.

Sponsors

• Michael J. Soter · Primary

Subjects