"An Act relating to the salmon product development tax credit; providing for an effective date by amending an effective date in sec. 7, ch. 57, SLA 2003; and providing for an effective date. "

Senate Bill 164 extends the deadline for salmon processors to receive a salmon product development tax credit. Under current law (AS 43.75.035), processors can claim the credit only for property first placed into service by the end of this calendar year (December 31, 2005). SB 164 would give processors three more years (until December 31, 2008) to claim the credit. The legislation also clarifies what types of items are eligible for the tax credit, to more effectively achieve the legislature's goal of encouraging Alaska's seafood processors to develop innovative value-added salmon products.

In 2003, the legislature passed and the Governor signed legislation that allows processors to claim a credit on the tax liability on new equipment they have purchased to add value to salmon using innovative processing techniques. The bill (HB 90) that became this law was proposed by the Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force, and was part of an effort by Alaska's elected leaders and the fishing industry to create incentives for the industry to take investment risks and produce new salmon products that add value to our salmon. It has worked: a number of processors have taken advantage of this tax credit. SB 164 extends the deadline for applying for the credit for another three years, to the end of 2008. In addition, the bill defines the kind of investment that qualifies for the credit, making it clear that processors should be producing new, innovative salmon products in order to benefit from this program. The legislation has been drafted in consultation with the Tax Division of the Department of Revenue, incorporating lessons learned in the first two years of administering the credit, to ensure that management and enforcement are efficient and effective.

Senate Bill 164 is supported by many Alaskan salmon processors and fishermen as a valuable tool in improving the quality and net worth of our wild salmon.

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