The Senate Finance Committee met this morning to discuss four bills.
House Bill 2475 would authorize the Tax Commissioner to collect tax, interest and penalties due and owing from payments to vendors and contractors from the Auditor and other state, county, district or municipal officers and agents. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2856 would declare public policy and legislative intent for improving the marketing, quality and frequency of passenger rail service of the Cardinal Passenger Train. The bill directs the director of tourism to work with the rail service. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2586 relates to required minimum distribution of retirement benefits of plans administered by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2555 relates to tax credits for apprenticeship training in construction trades. This would eliminate the requirement that the credit be only taken by union employees.
Senator Prezioso (D-Marion) wanted to make sure that the apprentices would be paid at least minimum wage. He was assured they were and were often paid more than that. He then moved to amend the bill to pay the apprentices two dollars above minimum wage as that is what the tax credit is worth for the companies. The amendment was rejected. He then moved to amend the bill again to place in safeguards to make sure the system wouldn’t be abused. The amendment was adopted.
The bill was reported to the floor with the recommendation that it pass.
