(a) As used in this act: (1) “Business support services” means business counseling, technical assistance and business planning services provided to existing or prospective small businesses or entrepreneurs;

(2) “contributions” means and includes the donation of cash or property other than used clothing in an amount or value of $250 or more. Contributions shall be valued as follows:

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(A) Stocks and bonds contributed shall be valued at the stock market price on the date of transfer;

(B) personal property items contributed shall be valued at the lesser of the item’s fair market value or cost to the donor and may be inclusive of costs incurred in making the contribution. Such value shall not include sales tax;

(C) contributions of real estate are allowable for credit only when title of such real estate is in fee simple absolute and is clear of any encumbrances; and

(D) the amount of credit allowable shall be based upon the lesser of two current independent appraisals conducted by state licensed appraisers;

(3) “department” means the department of commerce;

(4) “entrepreneur” means an individual creating a new business, service or product;

(5) “region” means multi-county areas as defined by the secretary of commerce;

(6) “regional business development fund” means an authorized and audited fund that is created by taxpayer contributions, interest income and investment income and is managed by the regional foundation board of directors for the purposes of economic and leadership development in the region;

(7) “regional foundation” means any organization in Kansas that demonstrates capacity to provide economic development services to regions as defined by this act, and: (A) Has obtained a ruling from the internal revenue service of the United States department of treasury that such organization is exempt from income taxation under the provisions of section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) of the federal internal revenue code;

(B) has been designated as a certified development company by the United States small business administration;

(C) has been designated as an economic development district by the United States department of commerce’s economic development administration;

(D) has been organized as a regional planning commission under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-744 et seq., and amendments thereto, or its predecessor, Kan. Stat. Ann. § 12-716 et seq., and amendments thereto; or

(E) is incorporated in the state of Kansas as a nonstock, nonprofit corporation;

(8) “regional leadership development” means training and education that enable a region to develop community leadership that strengthens the economic and social environment in that region;

(9) “rural community” means any city having a population of fewer than 50,000 or except as otherwise provided, any unincorporated area. Unincorporated areas within any county having a population of more than 100,000 are not eligible;

(10) “secretary” means the secretary of the department of commerce;

(11) “small business” means an independently owned and operated business having fewer than 100 full-time equivalent employees;

(12) “taxpayer” means: (A) Any business entity authorized to do business in the state of Kansas which is subject to the state income tax imposed by the provisions of the Kansas income tax act;

(B) any individual subject to the state income tax imposed by the provisions of the Kansas income tax act;

(C) any national banking association, state bank, trust company or savings and loan association paying an annual tax on its net income pursuant to article 11 of chapter 79 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated; or

(D) any insurance company paying the premium tax and privilege fees imposed pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-252, and amendments thereto; and

(13) “technology improvements” means a project that results in the ability of the region to enhance service in areas, including broadband access, web site creation, wireless internet services, computer programming, computer servers, computer networks, computer databases, electronic training modules, electronic media and any other technological areas deemed eligible by the secretary.

(b) For taxable years commencing after December 31, 2004, any taxpayer contributing to a regional foundation designated by the secretary of commerce, shall be allowed a credit, as provided in this act, against the tax imposed by the Kansas income tax act, the tax on net income of national banking associations, state banks, trust companies or savings and loan associations imposed under article 11 of chapter 79 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, or the premium tax or privilege fees imposed pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 40-252, and amendments thereto, if the proposal of the regional foundation is approved pursuant to this act.

(c) (1) On December 31, 2007, June 30, 2008, and each June 30 thereafter, each regional foundation shall transfer 5% of funds raised in the previous fiscal year from the marketing of the rural business tax credits to be credited to the enterprise facilitation fund created in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-50,155, and amendments thereto.

(2) The secretary of commerce may adopt rules and regulations for the disbursement of regional foundation funds to the enterprise facilitation fund.

(d) (1) The secretary of commerce is hereby authorized to adopt rules and regulations for establishing criteria for evaluating proposals to designate regional foundations as defined by this act with the assistance of the secretary of revenue.

(2) The proposal shall set forth the program to be conducted, why the program is needed, the estimated amount to be invested in the program, composition of the board that shall be making investment decisions, policies stating the organization shall offer services to all counties in that region and the plans for implementing the program.

(3) The secretary of commerce shall select regional foundations pursuant to rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (d)(1) to use the sale of credits to establish regional business development funds.

(4) The total amount of credits allowed under this act shall not exceed $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2005; $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2006; $2,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2007 through, and including, 2010, and fiscal year 2012, and $1,800,000 for fiscal year 2011. Each region as defined by this act shall receive an equal share of this allocation.

(5) Any credits not sold by such regional foundations shall be reclaimed by the secretary from such region and redistributed to other regions that sold all credits previously issued.

(6) The secretary shall annually review and approve or disapprove the proposal of each designated regional foundation for continued eligibility for tax credits. The department of commerce retains that right to reclaim credits in such cases the regional foundation closes or there is demonstrated violation of the organization’s policies. Changes to the investment policies of each regional foundation are subject to approval of the secretary.

(e) Each regional foundation shall administer a regional business development fund. The sums generated by contributions to each regional business development fund are intended to be distributed to qualified entrepreneurs for the purposes of economic and leadership development in the region. Such sums shall be allocated by each regional foundation as follows:

(1) Not less than 60% of such funds may be allocated for job creation or retention;

(2) not more than 10% of such funds shall be allocated for administrative costs in overseeing particular projects; and

(3) the remaining funds may be allocated towards other eligible activities as provided in subsection (f) in a manner that fits the region’s priorities and needs.

(f) Funds in the regional business development funds may be utilized by the regional foundation for one or more of the following eligible activities:

(1) Business start-ups;

(2) business expansion;

(3) business retention;

(4) business support services;

(5) regional leadership development;

(6) technology improvements; and

(7) administrative services.

(g) All interest generated on idle funds administered by the regional foundation shall be used by the foundation’s board in accordance with subsections (e) and (f).

(h) Any regional foundation may increase or decrease the allocation percentages set forth in subsection (e) only upon approval of such adjustments by the secretary.

(i) (1) The amount of credit allowed pursuant to this act, shall not exceed 75% of the total amount contributed during the taxable year by the taxpayer to a regional foundation approved pursuant to this act.

(2) If the amount of the credit allowed by this act, exceeds the taxpayer’s income tax liability imposed under the Kansas income tax act, such excess amount shall be refunded to the taxpayer.

(j) The provisions of this act shall be applicable to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.