Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 31, beginning at line 19, by striking SECTION 20.A. in its entirety and inserting:
/ SECTION 20. A. Section 12-6-3385(A)(1) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 12-6-3385. (A)(1)(a) A student is allowed a refundable individual income tax credit equal to twenty-five fifty percent, not to exceed eight hundred fifty one thousand five hundred dollars in the case of both four-year institutions and twenty-five percent, not to exceed three hundred fifty dollars in the case of two-year institutions, for tuition paid an institution of higher learning or a designated institution as provided in this section, during a taxable year. The amount of the tax credit claimed up to the limits authorized in this section for any taxable year may not exceed the amount of tuition paid during that taxable year. The maximum amount of credits allowed by this section for all taxpayers may not exceed forty million dollars in tax year 2018. For all tax years after 2018, the maximum amount of credits for all taxpayers may not exceed the maximum amount in tax year 2018, plus a cumulative amount equal to the percentage increase in the Higher Education Price Index, not to exceed more than three percent a year. If the total amount of credits claimed in a tax year exceeds the maximum amount, then the amount of each credit must be reduced proportionately.
(b) In addition to the credit allowed pursuant to subitem (a), a student, including a student who is a dependent of a taxpayer as provided in item (3), who claims the earned income tax credit (EITC) allowed, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 32, and attends a two-year institution may add an additional twenty-five percent to the percentage allowed in subitem (a), subject to the maximum amounts set forth in subitem (a).
(c) In addition to the credit allowed pursuant to subitems (a) and (b), an eligible student attending a four-year institution who is at least a sophomore and who is majoring in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) related discipline, as those terms are defined by the Commission on Higher Education pursuant to Section 59-149-15, may claim a credit of up to one thousand two hundred fifty dollars, not to exceed the cost of tuition paid and subject to the maximum amount set forth in subitem (a).
(d) In addition to the credit allowed pursuant to subitems (a) and (b), an eligible student attending a two-year institution who has earned enough credits to be considered a second year student and who is pursuing an associate degree in a STEM-related discipline, as those terms are defined by the Commission on Higher Education pursuant to Section 59-149-15, may claim an additional credit of up to one thousand two hundred fifty dollars, not to exceed the cost of tuition paid and subject to the maximum amount set forth in subitem (a).
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office annually shall estimate a maximum credit that may be permitted under this section for a taxable year based on the number of taxpayers expected to claim the credit and the expected amount claimed. The Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office shall certify the maximum credit to the Department of Revenue, and for the applicable taxable year, the maximum credit amount must not exceed the lesser of the certified estimate or the maximum amount set forth in subitem (a). If the certified estimate exceeds the maximum amount set forth in subitem (a), then the credits set forth in subitems (b), (c), and (d) each must be reduced by the same percentage that the certified estimate exceeds the maximum set forth in subitem (a).
(f) The Commission on Higher Education, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, and each public institution of higher learning, as defined in Section 59-103-5, must develop a plan to notify each student of the tax credit allowed by this section and shall promote resources that may be available on campus, or in the community, that would assist students in applying for the tax credit as applicable." /
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, page 34, line 33, by striking SECTION 24 in its entirety and inserting:
/ SECTION 24. Section 57-1-310(A) and (B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 57-1-310. (A) The congressional districts of this State are constituted and created Department of Transportation Districts of the State, designated by numbers corresponding to the numbers of the respective congressional districts. The Commission of the Department of Transportation shall be composed of one member from each transportation district and one member two members from the State at large, all appointed by the Governor, upon the advice and consent of the Senate, subject to the provisions of Section 57-1-325. In making appointments to the commission, the Governor shall take into account race, gender, and other demographic factors, such as residence in rural or urban areas, so as to represent, to the greatest extent possible, all segments of the population of the State; however, consideration of these factors in making an appointment in no way creates a cause of action or basis for an employee grievance for a person appointed or for a person who fails to be appointed. The members of the commission shall represent the transportation needs of the State as a whole and may not subordinate the needs of the State to those of any particular area of the State.
(B) The at-large appointment made by the Governor must be transmitted to the Joint Transportation Review Committee." /
Amend the bill further, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered new SECTION to read:
/ SECTION __. Section 57-1-330(B) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(B) The at-large commission member may be appointed from any county in the State unless another commission member is serving from that county. Failure by the at-large commission member to maintain residence in the State shall result in a forfeiture of his office.
Commission members may be removed from office at the discretion of the Governor subject to the prior approval of the appropriate legislative delegation." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.