To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow small business employers a credit against income tax for certain expenses for long-term training of employees in highly skilled small business trades.

Summary: Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide small employers with a highly skilled trades training credit.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 
2001''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN 
              HIGHLY SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related 
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 45E. EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN HIGHLY 
              SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of a 
small business employer, the highly skilled trades training credit 
determined under this section for the taxable year is $15,000 for each 
employee having a qualified training year ending with or within such 
taxable year (whether or not such employee is an employee of the 
taxpayer as of the close of such taxable year).
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Small business employer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `small business 
                employer' means, with respect to any taxable year, any 
                employer who employed an average of 250 or fewer 
                employees on business days during such taxable year.
                    ``(B) Controlled groups.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), all persons treated as a single 
                employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of 
                section 414 shall be treated as a single employer.
            ``(2) Qualified training year.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified training 
                year' means each year during the training period in 
                which the employee received at least 1,500 hours of 
                training (including on-the-job training and training at 
                multi-employer training facilities) from the taxpayer 
                (or any predecessor) under a qualified training program 
                as an apprentice in any highly skilled trade.
                    ``(B) Highly skilled trades.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `highly skilled trades' 
                means--
                            ``(i) precision machinists,
                            ``(ii) die makers,
                            ``(iii) mold makers,
                            ``(iv) tool and die designers,
                            ``(v) heating, ventilating, air 
                        conditioning, refrigeration, and roofing 
                        contractors,
                            ``(vi) the trade of masonry,
                            ``(vii) plumbers,
                            ``(viii) pipefitters,
                            ``(ix) patternmakers,
                            ``(x) foundry technicians,
                            ``(xi) electricians,
                            ``(xii) recreational marine production and 
                        design workers,
                            ``(xiii) 2-way radio technicians,
                            ``(xiv) welders,
                            ``(xv) shipfitters,
                            ``(xvi) propellor machinists,
                            ``(xvii) electronic instrumentation 
                        specialists, and
                            ``(xviii) other highly skilled trades 
                        specified in regulations prescribed by the 
                        Secretary.
                Such term shall not include any trade if the customary 
                apprenticeship period for such trade is less than 2 
                years.
                    ``(C) Qualified training program.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `qualified 
                        training program' means a written plan of study 
                        and training for individuals in, or entering 
                        into, highly skilled trades.
                            ``(ii) Description of programs.--A plan 
                        under clause (i) must be a program described in 
                        one of the following subclauses:
                                    ``(I) An apprenticeship program 
                                registered and certified with the 
                                Secretary of Labor under section 1 of 
                                the National Apprenticeship Act (29 
                                U.S.C. 50).
                                    ``(II) A program licensed, 
                                registered, or certified by the 
                                workforce investment board or 
                                apprenticeship agency or council of a 
                                State or administered in compliance 
                                with apprenticeship laws of a State.
                                    ``(III) A program conducted by a 
                                vocational or technical education 
                                school, community college, or 
                                industrial or trade training 
                                organization.
                                    ``(IV) A program which conforms to 
                                apprentice training programs developed 
                                or administered by an employer trade 
                                group or committee.
                                    ``(V) An industry sponsored or 
                                administered program which is clearly 
                                identified and commonly 
recognized within an industry and which meets the requirements of 
clause (iii).
                            ``(iii) Requirements.--A program meets the 
                        requirements of this clause if such program--
                                    ``(I) is accessible to individuals 
                                without discrimination on the basis of 
                                race, sex, color, religion, or national 
                                origin,
                                    ``(II) provides an overview of the 
                                trade, including the history and modern 
                                developments in such trade,
                                    ``(III) provides related 
                                instruction of the fundamental, 
                                intermediate, and advanced skills, 
                                techniques, and materials of the trade,
                                    ``(IV) provides training in math, 
                                measurement, and blueprint reading 
                                skills, if such skills are required in 
                                the trade,
                                    ``(V) provides training on trade 
                                specific tools and equipment,
                                    ``(VI) provides on-the-job training 
                                which allows performance of work under 
                                close supervision of an instructor or 
                                skilled worker, and
                                    ``(VII) provides periodic review 
                                and evaluation of participants to 
                                demonstrate proficiency in skills, 
                                including the use of tests and 
                                assessment of individual and group 
                                projects.
            ``(3) Training period.--The term `training period' means, 
        with respect to an employee, the period--
                    ``(A) beginning on the date that the employee 
                begins employment with the taxpayer as an apprentice in 
                the highly skilled trade, and
                    ``(B) ending on the earlier of--
                            ``(i) the date that such apprenticeship 
                        with the employer ends, or
                            ``(ii) the date which is 4 years after the 
                        date referred to in subparagraph (A).
    ``(c) Coordination With Other Credits.--The amount of credit 
otherwise allowable under sections 51(a) and 1396(a) with respect to 
any employee shall be reduced by the credit allowed by this section 
with respect to such employee.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of 
section 38 of such Code is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of 
paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and 
inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(14) in the case of a small business employer (as defined 
        in section 45E(b)), the highly skilled trades training credit 
        determined under section 45E(a).''.
    (c) Denial of Double Benefit.--Section 280C of such Code is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Credit for Training Expenses for Employees in Highly Skilled 
Small Business Trades.--No deduction shall be allowed for that portion 
of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year 
which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable 
year under section 45E(a).''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 45E. Expenses for long-term 
                                        training of employees in highly 
                                        skilled small business 
                                        trades.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to expenses paid or incurred in the taxable years ending after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.