TELECOMMUNICATIONS SALES TAX

This act provides that if telecommunications services that are taxable under current law are aggregated with and not separately stated from charges for telecommunications services that are not taxable under current law, the nontaxable services may be subject to tax unless the telecommunications provider can identify by reasonable and verifiable standards the portion of the charges not subject to tax, as described in the act. (Section 144.020)

This provision is identical to HCS/HB 1227 (2019) and to a provision contained in HCS/SB 152 (2019), and is substantially similar to SB 483 (2019) and to a provision contained in SS/SCS/SBs 46 & 50 (2019) and HCS/SCS/SB 174 (2019).

WIND ENERGY PROJECT PROPERTY TAX

This act provides that all real and tangible personal property associated with a project which uses wind energy directly to generate electricity shall not be assessed and taxed under current law relating to the property taxation of public utility companies. (Section 153.034)

Beginning January 1, 2020, any public utility company that has a wind energy project shall be assessed as described in the act. Wind energy property shall be assessed upon the local tax rolls. Property consisting of land and buildings related to the wind energy project shall be assessed as provided under current law. All other business or personal property related to the wind energy project shall be assessed using the depreciation schedule provided under current law for tangible personal property. (Section 153.030)

This act establishes the "Task Force on Wind Energy", which shall be composed of eight members. Three members shall be members of the House of Representatives, three members shall be members of the Senate, and two members shall be representatives of Missouri county governments with experience in wind energy evaluations.

The task force shall conduct public hearings and research, and shall compile a report for the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Such report shall provide information on the economic benefits and drawbacks of wind turbines, the assessment and taxation of wind turbines, compliance with existing federal and state programs and regulations, and potential legislation that will provide a uniform assessment and taxation methodology for wind turbines, as described in the act. (Section 393.1073)

These provisions are substantially similar to HCS/SB 72 (2019), and are similar to HB 835 (2019) and to a provision contained in HB 1046 (2019).

JOSHUA NORBERG