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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of incentives by this state for the |
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implementation of certain projects to capture and sequester carbon |
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dioxide that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. |
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�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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�������SECTION�1.��Chapter 490, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter H to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H. FRANCHISE TAX CREDIT FOR CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT |
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�������Sec.�490.351.��DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "clean |
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energy project" has the meaning assigned by Section 120.001, |
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Natural Resources Code. |
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�������Sec.�490.352.��FRANCHISE TAX CREDIT FOR CLEAN ENERGY |
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PROJECT. �(a) The comptroller shall adopt rules for issuing to an |
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entity implementing a clean energy project in this state a |
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franchise tax credit. A clean energy project is eligible for a |
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franchise tax credit only if the project is implemented in |
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connection with the construction of a new facility. |
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�������(b)��The comptroller shall issue a franchise tax credit to an |
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entity operating a clean energy project after: |
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�������������(1)��the Railroad Commission of Texas has issued a |
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certificate of compliance for the project to the entity as provided |
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by Section 120.004, Natural Resources Code; |
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�������������(2)��the construction of the project has been |
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completed; |
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�������������(3)��the electric generating facility associated with |
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the project is fully operational; |
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�������������(4)��the Bureau of Economic Geology of The University |
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of Texas at Austin verifies to the comptroller that the electric |
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generating facility associated with the project is sequestering at |
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least 70 percent of the carbon dioxide resulting from or associated |
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with the generation of electricity by the facility; and |
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�������������(5)��the owner or operator of the project has entered |
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into an interconnection agreement relating to the project with the |
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Electric Reliability Council of Texas. |
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�������(c)��The total amount of the franchise tax credit that may be |
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issued to the entity designated in the certificate of compliance |
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for a clean energy project is equal to the lesser of: |
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�������������(1)��10 percent of the total capital cost of the |
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project, including the cost of designing, engineering, permitting, |
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constructing, and commissioning the project, the cost of procuring |
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land, water, and equipment for the project, and all fees, taxes, and |
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commissions paid and other payments made in connection with the |
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project but excluding the cost of financing the capital cost of the |
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project; or |
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�������������(2)��$100 million. |
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�������(d)��The amount of the franchise tax credit for each report |
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year is calculated by determining the amount of franchise tax that |
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is due based on the taxable margin generated by a clean energy |
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project from the generation and sale of power and the sale of any |
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products that are produced by the electric generation facility. |
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The amount of the franchise tax credit claimed under this section |
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for a report year may not exceed the amount of franchise tax |
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attributable to the clean energy project for that report year. |
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�������(e)��The comptroller may not issue a franchise tax credit |
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under this section before September 1, 2013. This subsection |
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expires September 2, 2013. |
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�������SECTION�2.��Section 382.003(1-a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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�������������(1-a)��"Advanced clean energy project" means a project |
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for which an application for a permit or for an authorization to use |
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a standard permit under this chapter is received by the commission |
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on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2020, and that: |
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�������������������(A)��involves the use of coal, biomass, petroleum |
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coke, solid waste, or fuel cells using hydrogen derived from such |
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fuels, in the generation of electricity, or the creation of liquid |
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fuels outside of the existing fuel production infrastructure while |
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co-generating electricity, whether the project is implemented in |
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connection with the construction of a new facility or in connection |
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with the modification of an existing facility and whether the |
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project involves the entire emissions stream from the facility or |
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only a portion of the emissions stream from the facility; |
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�������������������(B)��with regard to the portion of the emissions |
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stream from the facility that is associated with the project, is |
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capable of achieving: |
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�������������������������(i)��on an annual basis a 99 percent or |
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greater reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions or, if the project is |
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designed for the use of feedstock substantially all of which is |
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subbituminous coal, an emission rate of 0.04 pounds or less of |
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sulfur dioxide per million British thermal units as determined by a |
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30-day average; |
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�������������������������(ii)��on an annual basis [,] a 95 percent or |
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greater reduction of mercury emissions; |
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�������������������������(iii)��[, and] an annual average emission |
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rate for nitrogen oxides of: |
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�������������������������������(a)��0.05 pounds or less per million |
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British thermal units; or |
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�������������������������������(b)��if the project uses gasification |
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technology, 0.034 pounds or less per million British thermal units; |
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and |
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�������������������������(iv)��an annual average emission rate for |
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filterable particulate matter of 0.015 pounds or less per million |
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British thermal units; and |
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�������������������(C)��captures not less than 50 percent of the |
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[renders] carbon dioxide in the portion of the emissions stream |
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from the facility that is associated with the project and |
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sequesters that captured carbon dioxide by geologic storage or |
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other means [capable of capture, sequestration, or abatement if any
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carbon dioxide is produced by the project]. |
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�������SECTION�3.��Subtitle D, Title 3, Natural Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 120 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 120. VERIFICATION, MONITORING, AND CERTIFICATION OF CLEAN |
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ENERGY PROJECT |
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�������Sec.�120.001.��DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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�������������(1)��"Bureau" means the Bureau of Economic Geology of |
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The University of Texas at Austin. |
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�������������(2)��"Clean energy project" means a project to |
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construct a coal-fueled or petroleum coke-fueled electric |
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generating facility, including a facility in which the fuel is |
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gasified before combustion, that will: |
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�������������������(A)��have a capacity of at least 200 megawatts; |
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�������������������(B)��meet the emissions profile for an advanced |
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clean energy project under Section 382.003(1-a)(B), Health and |
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Safety Code; |
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�������������������(C)��capture at least 70 percent of the carbon |
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dioxide resulting from or associated with the generation of |
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electricity by the facility; |
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�������������������(D)��be capable of permanently sequestering in a |
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geological formation the carbon dioxide captured; and |
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�������������������(E)��be capable of supplying the carbon dioxide |
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captured for purposes of an enhanced oil recovery project. |
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�������������(3)��"Commission" means the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas. |
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�������������(4)��"Sequester" means to inject carbon dioxide into a |
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geological formation in a manner and under conditions that create a |
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reasonable expectation that at least 99 percent of the carbon |
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dioxide injected will remain sequestered from the atmosphere for at |
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least 1,000 years. |
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�������Sec.�120.002.��CERTIFICATION OF CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT. (a) |
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The commission is the authority responsible for certifying whether |
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a project has met the requirements for a clean energy project. |
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�������(b)��An entity may apply to the commission for a |
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certification that a project operated by the entity meets the |
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requirements for a clean energy project. The application must be |
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accompanied by: |
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�������������(1)��a certificate from a qualified independent |
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engineer that the project is operational and meets the standards |
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provided by Sections 120.001(2)(A), (B), and (C); and |
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�������������(2)��a fee payable to the commission. |
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�������(c)��The amount of the fee prescribed by Subsection (b)(2) is |
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$50,000 unless the commission by rule determines that a fee in a |
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greater amount is necessary to cover the commission's costs of |
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processing an application. |
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�������Sec.�120.003.��MONITORING OF SEQUESTERED CARBON DIOXIDE. |
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(a) An entity that applies to the commission under Section 120.002 |
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for a certification that a project operated by the entity meets the |
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requirements for a clean energy project is responsible for |
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conducting a monitoring, measuring, and verification process that |
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demonstrates that the project complies with the requirements of |
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Section 490.352(b)(4), Government Code. |
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�������(b)��The entity shall contract with the bureau for the bureau |
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to: |
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�������������(1)��design initial protocols and standards for the |
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process described by Subsection (a); |
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�������������(2)��review the conduct of the process described by |
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Subsection (a) in order to make any necessary changes in the design |
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of the protocols and standards; |
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�������������(3)��evaluate the results of the process described by |
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Subsection (a); |
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�������������(4)��provide an evaluation of the results of the |
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process described by Subsection (a) to the commission; and |
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�������������(5)��determine whether to transmit to the comptroller |
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the verification described by Section 490.352(b)(4), Government |
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Code. |
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�������(c)��Unless otherwise agreed by the entity and the bureau, a |
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contract required by Subsection (b) must require the entity to |
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compensate the bureau by paying an annual fee in accordance with the |
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following schedule: |
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�������Year�������������Amount |
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�������One��������������$700,000 |
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�������Two��������������$1,300,000 |
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�������Three������������$1,800,000 |
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�������Four�������������$1,500,000 |
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�������Five�������������$1,200,000 |
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�������Six��������������$900,000 |
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�������Seven������������$500,000 |
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�������Eight������������$200,000 |
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�������(d)��The first payment under Subsection (c) is due not later |
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than 24 months before the date the entity first supplies carbon |
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dioxide captured by the project to an enhanced oil recovery |
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project. |
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�������Sec.�120.004.��ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE. (a) |
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On verification that a project meets the requirements for |
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certification as a clean energy project, the commission shall issue |
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a certificate of compliance for the project to the entity operating |
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the project and shall provide a copy of the certificate to the |
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comptroller. |
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�������(b)��The commission may not issue a certificate of compliance |
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for more than three clean energy projects. |
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�������SECTION�4.��Subchapter H, Chapter 151, Tax Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 151.334 to read as follows: |
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�������Sec.�151.334.��COMPONENTS OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY USED |
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IN CONNECTION WITH SEQUESTRATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE. Components of |
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tangible personal property used in connection with an advanced |
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clean energy project, as defined by Section 382.003, Health and |
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Safety Code, or a clean energy project, as defined by Section |
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120.001, Natural Resources Code, are exempted from the taxes |
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imposed by this chapter if: |
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�������������(1)��the components are installed to capture carbon |
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dioxide from an anthropogenic emission source, transport or inject |
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carbon dioxide from such a source, or prepare carbon dioxide from |
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such a source for transportation or injection; and |
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�������������(2)��the carbon dioxide is sequestered in this state: |
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�������������������(A)��as part of an enhanced oil recovery project |
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that qualifies for a tax rate reduction under Section 202.0545, as |
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provided by Subsection (c) of that section; or |
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�������������������(B)��in a manner and under conditions that create |
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a reasonable expectation that at least 99 percent of the carbon |
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dioxide will remain sequestered from the atmosphere for at least |
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1,000 years. |
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�������SECTION�5.��Sections 202.0545(a) and (d), Tax Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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�������(a)��Subject to the limitations provided by this section, |
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until [the later of] the 30th [seventh] anniversary of the date that |
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the comptroller first approves an application for a tax rate |
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reduction under this section [or the effective date of a final rule
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adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
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regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant], the producer of oil |
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recovered through an enhanced oil recovery project that qualifies |
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under Section 202.054 for the recovered oil tax rate provided by |
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Section 202.052(b) is entitled to an additional 50 percent |
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reduction in that tax rate if in the recovery of the oil the |
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enhanced oil recovery project uses carbon dioxide that: |
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�������������(1)��is captured from an anthropogenic source in this |
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state; |
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�������������(2)��would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as |
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industrial emissions; |
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�������������(3)��is measurable at the source of capture; and |
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�������������(4)��is sequestered in one or more geological |
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formations in this state following the enhanced oil recovery |
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process. |
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�������(d)��An agency to which an operator applies for a |
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certification under Subsection (c)(2) may issue the certification |
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only if the agency finds that, based on substantial evidence, there |
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is a reasonable expectation that: |
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�������������(1)��[the operator's planned sequestration program will
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ensure that] at least 99 percent of the carbon dioxide sequestered |
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as required by Subsection (a)(4) will remain sequestered for at |
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least 1,000 years; and |
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�������������(2)��the operator's planned sequestration program will |
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include appropriately designed monitoring and verification |
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measures that will be employed for a period sufficient to |
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demonstrate whether the sequestration program is performing as |
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expected. |
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�������SECTION�6.��Section 313.021(4), Tax Code, is amended to read |
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as follows: |
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�������������(4)��"Qualifying time period" means: |
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�������������������(A)��the first two tax years that begin on or after |
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the date a person's application for a limitation on appraised value |
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under this subchapter is approved, except as provided by Paragraph |
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(B) or (C); [or] |
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�������������������(B)��in connection with a nuclear electric power |
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generation facility, the first seven tax years that begin on or |
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after the third anniversary of the date the school district |
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approves the property owner's application for a limitation on |
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appraised value under this subchapter, unless a shorter time period |
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is agreed to by the governing body of the school district and the |
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property owner; or |
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�������������������(C)��in connection with an advanced clean energy |
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project, as defined by Section 382.003, Health and Safety Code, the |
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first five tax years that begin on or after the third anniversary of |
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the date the school district approves the property owner's |
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application for a limitation on appraised value under this |
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subchapter, unless a shorter time period is agreed to by the |
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governing body of the school district and the property owner. |
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�������SECTION�7.��(a) �Not later than September 1, 2010, September |
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1, 2012, and September 1, 2016, the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality shall make recommendations to the |
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legislature on whether the emissions profile set out in Sections |
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120.001(2)(B) and (C), Natural Resources Code, as added by this |
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Act, and Sections 382.003(1-a)(B) and (C), Health and Safety Code, |
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as amended by this Act, should be adjusted to increase or decrease |
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elements of the emissions profile. Before making its |
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recommendations, the commission shall determine whether any |
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commercially demonstrated electric generating facility operating |
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in the United States that meets the criteria and emissions profile |
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specified by Section 120.001(2), Natural Resources Code, as added |
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by this Act, is capturing and sequestering a greater percentage of |
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the carbon dioxide in the emissions stream from the facility than |
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would be required to meet the emissions profile set out in that |
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subdivision and whether any commercially demonstrated electric |
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generating facility operating in the United States that meets the |
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criteria and emissions profile specified by Sections |
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382.003(1-a)(A), (B), and (C), Health and Safety Code, as amended |
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by this Act, is capturing and sequestering a greater percentage of |
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the carbon dioxide in the emissions stream from the facility than |
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would be required to meet the emissions profile set out in those |
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paragraphs. If at least one such facility exists, the commission |
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shall recommend raising the minimum percentage of carbon dioxide in |
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the emissions stream from a facility that is required to be captured |
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and sequestered for the facility to qualify as a clean energy |
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project or advanced clean energy project to the highest percentage |
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of carbon dioxide that is being captured and sequestered by such a |
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facility. |
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�������(b)��Factors that must be considered in the assessment of the |
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emissions profile include: |
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�������������(1)��the technical and economic feasibility of meeting |
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all of the elements of the emissions profile set out in Sections |
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120.001(2)(B) and (C), Natural Resources Code, as added by this |
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|
Act, or Sections 382.003(1-a)(A), (B), and (C), Health and Safety |
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|
Code, as amended by this Act, in a commercially viable project, as |
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documented by the United States Department of Energy; |
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�������������(2)��the technical and economic feasibility of projects |
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to meet all of the elements of the emissions profile and still use a |
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diverse range of fuels, including lignite; and |
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�������������(3)��the adequacy of the incentives provided by this |
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Act, or similar legislation that becomes law, to continue to |
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attract investment in and federal funding for clean energy projects |
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and advanced clean energy projects in this state. |
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�������(c)��Any adjustments to the emissions profile implemented by |
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the legislature in response to a report required by this section do |
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not apply to an application considered administratively complete on |
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or before the date the adjustment takes effect. |
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�������SECTION�8.��The comptroller shall adopt rules under Section |
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490.352, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than |
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December 31, 2010. |
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�������SECTION�9.��Not later than January 1, 2010, the Texas |
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Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules as necessary |
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to implement Section 382.003, Health and Safety Code, as amended by |
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this Act. |
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�������SECTION�10.��Section 151.334, Tax Code, as added by this Act, |
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does not affect taxes imposed before the effective date of this Act, |
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and the law in effect before the effective date of this Act is |
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|
continued in effect for purposes of the liability for and |
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|
collection of those taxes. |
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�������SECTION�11.��The Railroad Commission of Texas may adopt |
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rules as necessary to implement Section 202.0545, Tax Code, as |
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amended by this Act. |
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�������SECTION�12.��The comptroller of public accounts may adopt |
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rules as necessary to implement Section 202.0545, Tax Code, as |
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amended by this Act. |
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�������SECTION�13.��This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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���President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House����� |
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�������I certify that H.B. No. 469 was passed by the House on May 5, |
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2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 140, Nays 3, 1 present, not |
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voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to |
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|
H.B. No. 469 on May 29, 2009, and requested the appointment of a |
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conference committee to consider the differences between the two |
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houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report |
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|
on H.B. No. 469 on May 31, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 141, |
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Nays 5, 1 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House��� |
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�������I certify that H.B. No. 469 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 27, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays |
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0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference |
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|
committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and |
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|
that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No. |
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469 on May 31, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate��� |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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����������������Date������� |
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� |
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�������� __________________ |
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��������������Governor������� |