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Minutes for HB2044 - Committee on Commerce
Short Title
Income tax credit for taxpayer purchases of certain goods and services from qualified vendors providing employment for blind or disabled individuals.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 21, 2019
Chairperson Lynn opened the hearing on HB 2044 and requested Revisor Charles Reimer to provide an overview of the bill.
Chairperson Lynn recognized Natalie Bright, Coalition for Opportunity (Coalition), who provided testimony in support of the bill. Kansans with disabilities are struggling to find work and live economically stable, independent lives because there is a lack of competitive employment opportunities. Coalition members stand in support of HB 2044 because they believe it will incent private sector employers to do business with Coalition members and help expand competitive work opportunities for disabled Kansans. HB 2044 proposes an income tax credit for taxpayers who purchase certain goods and services from qualified vendors who provide employment for blind or disabled individuals. The tax credit is capped at $5 million for 5 years and is nonrefundable. The Coalition believes HB 2044 would be a significant workforce development tool to incent disabled employment. (Attachment 1)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was provided by:
- Jason Watkins, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 2)
- Patrick Terick, Director of Government Affairs, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (Attachment 3)
- Doug Wisby, President and CEO, Multi Community Diversified Services (Attachment 4)
- Michael Monteferrante, President and CEO, Envision, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 5)
- Shelby Fry, TARC Industries/Employment Services Director and Chair for the Kansas State Use Law Committee (Attachment 6)
Written only testimony in opposition to the bill was provided by:
Don McGinty, The McGinty Machine Company, Inc. (Attachment 7)
No testimony was submitted neutral to the bill.
Chairperson Lynn closed the hearing on HB 2044.
