Move America Act of 2017

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for Move America bonds and Move America credits. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Move America Act of 2017 2. Findings and purpose (a) Findings Congress makes the following findings: (1) Our Nation’s infrastructure network serves as a foundation of our economic competitiveness and national security. It is imperative that Congress maintain and revitalize the roads, bridges, ports, railways, airports, transit systems, water systems, and information networks of this country, enabling all industries to achieve the growth and productivity that make the United States strong and prosperous. (2) Investing in transportation, water, and information infrastructure creates long-term capital assets for the Nation that will improve economic productivity. (3) Investment in infrastructure creates jobs and spurs economic activity to put people back to work and grow the economy. (4) The cost to maintain and improve our Nation's highways, bridges, and other critical transportation infrastructure significantly exceeds what is currently being provided by all levels of government. (5) Investment in our Nation’s infrastructure must be multi-faceted, both by ensuring that there is a sustainable long-term funding source for infrastructure and through using innovative financing mechanisms. (6) Areas that are underserved by modern broadband connections are disadvantaged, and ensuring that those areas are connected will enable the Nation to benefit from the fuller participation of previously underserved citizens in the national economy. (7) Investment in infrastructure is needed throughout the Nation, and it is essential that infrastructure legislation, including but not limited to this legislation, benefit urban and rural areas, and large and small States. (b) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to provide tools to finance additional transportation, water, and information infrastructure capital investments, through an approach that provides assistance for financing of infrastructure to all States, rural and urban, and large and small. 3. Move America Bond (a) In general (1) Move America bonds Subpart A of part IV of subchapter B of chapter 1 142A. Move America bonds (a) In general (1) Treatment as exempt facility bond Except as otherwise provided in this section, a Move America bond shall be treated for purposes of this part as an exempt facility bond. (2) Exceptions (A) No government ownership requirement Paragraph (1) of section 142(b) shall not apply to any Move America bond. (B) Special rules for high-speed rail bonds Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 142(i) shall not apply to any Move America bond described in subsection (b)(4). (C) Special rules for highway and surface transportation facilities Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section 142(m) shall not apply to any Move America bond described in subsection (b)(5). (b) Move America bond For purposes of this part, the term Move America bond (1) airports, (2) docks and wharves, including— (A) waterborne mooring infrastructure, (B) dredging in connection with a dock or wharf, and (C) any associated rail and road infrastructure for the purpose of integrating modes of transportation, (3) mass commuting facilities, (4) facilities for the furnishing of water (within the meaning of section 142(e)), (5) sewage facilities, (6) railroads (as defined in section 20102 of title 49, United States Code) and any associated rail and road infrastructure for the purpose of integrating modes of transportation, (7) any— (A) surface transportation project which is eligible for Federal assistance under title 23, United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section), (B) project for an international bridge or tunnel for which an international entity authorized under Federal or State law is responsible and which is eligible for Federal assistance under title 23, United States Code (as so in effect), or (C) facility for the transfer of freight from truck to rail or rail to truck (including any temporary storage facilities directly related to such transfers) which is eligible for Federal assistance under either title 23 or title 49, United States Code (as so in effect), (8) flood diversions, (9) inland waterways, including construction and rehabilitation expenditures for navigation on any inland or intracoastal waterways of the United States (within the meaning of section 4042(d)(2)), or (10) rural broadband service infrastructure. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section— (1) Flood diversions The term flood diversion (2) Rural broadband service infrastructure The term rural broadband service infrastructure (A) meet the minimum requirements in effect under section 601(e) of such Act, and (B) will be provided in an area which— (i) is a rural area (as defined in section 601 of such Act), and (ii) meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of section 601(d)(2)(A) of such Act. (d) Move America volume cap (1) In general The aggregate face amount of Move America bonds issued pursuant to an issue, when added to the aggregate face amount of Move America bonds previously issued by the issuing authority during the calendar year, shall not exceed such issuing authority's Move America volume cap for such year. (2) Move America volume cap For purposes of this subsection— (A) In general The Move America volume cap for any calendar year is an amount equal to 50 percent of the State ceiling under section 146(d) for such State for such calendar year. (B) Allocation of volume cap Each State may allocate the Move America volume cap of such State among governmental units (or other authorities) in such State having authority to issue private activity bonds. (3) Carryforwards (A) In general If— (i) an issuing authority's Move America volume cap, exceeds (ii) the aggregate amount of Move America bonds issued during such calendar year by such authority, any Move America bond issued by such authority during the 5-calendar-year period following such calendar year shall not be taken into account under paragraph (1) to the extent the amount of such bonds does not exceed the amount of such excess. Any excesses arising under this paragraph shall be used under this paragraph in the order of calendar years in which the excesses arose. (B) Reallocation of unused carryforwards (i) In general The Move America volume cap under paragraph (2)(A) for any State for any calendar year shall be increased by any amount allocated to such State by the Secretary under clause (ii). (ii) Reallocation The Secretary shall allocate to each qualified State for any calendar year an amount which bears the same ratio to the aggregate unused carryforward amounts of all issuing authorities in all States for such calendar year as the qualified State's population for the calendar year bears to the population of all qualified States for the calendar year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, population shall be determined in accordance with section 146(j). (iii) Qualified State For purposes of this subparagraph, the term qualified State (I) which allocated its entire Move America volume cap for the preceding calendar year, and (II) for which a request is made (not later than May 1 of the calendar year) to receive an allocation under clause (ii). (iv) Unused carryforward amount For purposes of this paragraph, the term unused carryforward amount (I) the amount of the excess described in subparagraph (A) for the sixth preceding calendar year, over (II) the amount of bonds issued by such issuing authority to which subparagraph (A) applied during the 5 preceding calendar years. (4) Facility must be located within State (A) In general No portion of the Move America volume cap of an issuing authority for any calendar year may be used with respect to financing for a facility located outside of the authority's State. (B) Exception for certain facilities where State will get proportionate share of benefit Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any Move America bond the proceeds of which are used to provide a facility described in paragraph (4) or (5) of section 142A(b) if the issuer establishes that the State's share of the use of the facility will equal or exceed the State's share of the private activity bonds issued to finance the facility. (e) Applicability of certain federal laws (1) In general An issue shall not be treated as an issue under subsection (b) unless the facility for which the proceeds of such issue are used would be subject to the requirements of any Federal law (including titles 23, 40, and 49, United States Code) which would otherwise apply to similar projects. (2) Public transportation capital projects In addition to the requirements of paragraph (1), an issue the proceeds of which are used to finance a capital project (as defined in section 5302(3) of title 49, United States Code) relating to public transportation (as defined in section 5302(14) of such title) shall not be treated as an issue under subsection (b) unless such project complies with the requirements of chapter 53 (f) Special rule for environmental remediation costs for docks and wharves For purposes of this section, amounts used for working capital expenditures relating to environmental remediation required under State or Federal law at or near a facility described in subsection (b)(2) (including environmental remediation in the riverbed and land within or adjacent to the Federal navigation channel used to access such facility) shall be treated as an amount used to provide for such a facility. (g) Regulations The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations requiring States to report the amount of Move America volume cap of the State carried forward for any calendar year under subsection (d)(3). . (2) Conforming amendment The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 142 the following new item: Sec. 142A. Move America bonds. . (b) Application of other private activity bond rules (1) Treatment under private activity bond volume cap Subsection (g) of section 146 and , and (5) any Move America bond. . (2) Special rule on use for land acquisition Subparagraph (A) of section 147(c)(1) (50 percent in the case of any issue of Move America bonds) 25 percent (3) Special rules for rehabilitation expenditures (A) Inclusion of certain expenditures Subparagraph (B) of section 147(d)(3) , except that, in the case of any Move America bond, such term shall include any expenditure described in clause (v) thereof (B) Period for expenditures Subparagraph (C) of section 147(d)(3) of such Code is amended by inserting (5 years, in the case of any Move America bond) 2 years (c) Treatment under the alternative minimum tax Subparagraph (C) of section 57(a)(5) (vii) Exception for Move America bonds For purposes of clause (i), the term private activity bond . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to obligations issued in calendar years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Move America credits (a) In general Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 42A. Move America credits (a) Move America project credits (1) In general For purposes of section 38, the Move America project credit for any taxable year in the credit period is an amount equal to 10 percent of the qualified basis of each qualified project. (2) Definitions For purposes of this section— (A) Qualified basis (i) In general The qualified basis of any qualified project is the portion of the eligible basis of such project to which the State has allocated an amount of the State credit limitation under subsection (c)(3)(C)(i). (ii) Determination The qualified basis of a project shall be determined as of the date of the allocation for purposes of all taxable years in the credit period. (B) Qualified project The term qualified project (i) meets the requirements applicable to similar projects under any Federal law which would apply if the project were financed under any other Federal program (including titles 23, 40, and 49, United States Code), (ii) complies with the requirements of chapter 53 (iii) will be generally available for public use throughout the credit period. (C) Credit period (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the credit period with respect to any qualified project is the period of 10 taxable years beginning with the first taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which the project is placed in service. (ii) Early termination If at any time during the 10-taxable-year period described in clause (i) a project ceases to be a qualified project, or ceases and then recommences to be a qualified project, the credit period with respect to such project shall include only the taxable years in such 10-year-period in which the project was a qualified project for the entire taxable year. (iii) Dispositions of property or interest relating to qualified project A project shall not cease to be a qualified project solely by reason of the disposition of the project (or an interest therein) if it is reasonably expected that such project will otherwise continue to be a qualified project. (iv) Treatment of credit in case of disposition If at any time during the 10-taxable-year period described in clause (i) a qualified project (or an interest therein) is disposed of— (I) the credit under paragraph (1) for any year in such period beginning after the date of the disposal shall be allowed to the acquiring person, and not to the person disposing of the project (or interest), and (II) the credit under paragraph (1) for the year of the disposal shall be allocated between such persons on the basis of the number of days during such year the project (or interest) was held by each. (3) Reallocation (A) In general If any qualified project is not placed in service within 3 years of the date of the allocation under subsection (c)(3), the State shall rescind the allocation under subsection (c)(3)(C)(i). Any allocation so rescinded may be reallocated by the State under subsection (c) (including to qualified infrastructure funds for purposes of the credit under subsection (b)) within the calendar year in which it is so rescinded. (B) Reversion Any rescinded allocation which is not reallocated under subparagraph (A) by the last day of the calendar year in which it is so rescinded shall revert to inclusion in the State's Move America volume cap under section 142A(d) as if it had never been exchanged under subsection (c)(1). (C) No multiple reallocations Any rescinded allocation which is reallocated under subparagraph (A) and is subsequently rescinded shall not be further reallocated and shall immediately revert to inclusion in the Move America volume cap as provided in subparagraph (B). (4) Coordination with deduction for depreciation, etc (A) In general In the case of any taxable year in the credit period with respect to a qualified project, the total deduction allowable to the taxpayer for depreciation for the taxable year with respect to property which is part of such project shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of the credit allowed under paragraph (1) for such taxable year. (B) No adjustment to basis No reduction or adjustment in basis shall be made as a result of the application of subparagraph (A). (b) Move America infrastructure fund credits (1) Allowance of credit (A) In general For purposes of section 38, in the case of a taxpayer who holds a Move America investment on a credit allowance date of such investment which occurs during the taxable year, the Move America infrastructure fund credit for such taxable year is an amount equal to 5 percent of the amount paid to the qualified infrastructure fund for such investment at its original issue. (B) Credit allowance date For purposes of subparagraph (A), except as provided in paragraph (3), the term credit allowance date (i) the date on which such investment is initially made, and (ii) each of the 9 anniversary dates of such date thereafter. (2) Definitions For purposes of this section— (A) Move America investment (i) In general The term Move America investment (I) such investment is acquired by the taxpayer at its original issue solely in exchange for cash, (II) substantially all of such cash is used by the qualified infrastructure fund to make qualified investments, and (III) such investment is designated for purposes of this subsection by the qualified infrastructure fund, including a designation of the qualified investment which will be made with such investment. (ii) Limitation The maximum amount of equity investments issued by a qualified infrastructure fund in a calendar year which may be designated under clause (i)(III) by such fund shall not exceed— (I) the portion of the State credit limitation allocated under subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii) to such fund in such calendar year, multiplied by (II) 2. (iii) Expiration If the limitation determined under clause (ii) with respect to an infrastructure fund for a calendar year exceeds the amount of equity investments designated under clause (i)(III) by such fund in such year, the State shall rescind such excess allocation. Any allocation so rescinded may be reallocated by the State under subsection (c) (including to qualified projects for purposes of the credit under subsection (a)) within the immediately succeeding calendar year. (iv) Reversion Any rescinded allocation which is not reallocated under clause (iii) by the last day of such immediately succeeding calendar year shall revert to inclusion in the State's Move America volume cap under section 142A(d) as if it had never been exchanged under subsection (c)(1). (v) No multiple reallocations Any rescinded allocation which is reallocated under clause (iii) and is subsequently rescinded shall not be further reallocated and shall immediately revert to inclusion in the Move America volume cap as provided in clause (iv). (vi) Special rules Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 45D(b) shall apply with respect to clause (i). (B) Qualified infrastructure fund The term qualified infrastructure fund (i) a State infrastructure bank established under section 610 of title 23, United States Code, (ii) a water pollution control revolving fund established under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1381 (iii) a drinking water treatment revolving loan fund established under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12 (iv) an equivalent fund established or designated by the State or any instrumentality thereof. In the case of a fund described in clause (ii) or (iii), the amount of any Move America investment shall not be included in determining the amount of State or other non-Federal contributions to such fund. (C) Qualified investment The term qualified investment (i) qualified projects, or (ii) in the case of a fund described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B), projects and activities for which such funds are authorized to be used under any other provision of law. (3) Early termination (A) In general If at any time during the compliance period the fund which issued a Move America investment ceases to be a qualified infrastructure fund, or ceases and then recommences to be a qualified infrastructure fund, any date described in paragraph (1)(B) (including the date described in clause (i) thereof) occurring in— (i) the taxable year in which the fund ceased to be a qualified infrastructure fund, or (ii) any other taxable year in such period in which the fund is not a qualified infrastructure fund for the entire taxable year, shall not be treated as a credit allowance date for purposes of paragraph (1). (B) Compliance period For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term compliance period (C) Loss of qualification A fund shall cease to be a qualified infrastructure fund as of the date— (i) the fund redeems any Move America investment within the compliance period with respect to such investment, (ii) the proceeds of any Move America investment cease to be used for qualified investments, or (iii) the fund makes any investment which is not a qualified investment. (D) Expiration of credit If substantially all of the cash paid for any Move America investment is not used to make qualified investments designated under paragraph (2)(A)(i)(III) within 3 years of the date of original issue of such investment, any date described in paragraph (1)(B) occurring in a taxable year which ends after the date which is 3 years after such date of original issue shall not be treated as a credit allowance date for purposes of paragraph (1). (c) Move America credit allocation (1) Exchange of Move America bond volume cap (A) In general If a State has in effect a qualified allocation plan for a calendar year, the State may exchange (in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe) all or a portion of the State's Move America volume cap under section 142A(d) for such year for a State credit limitation. (B) Limitation The amount of a State's Move America volume cap for a calendar year which may be exchanged under subparagraph (A) shall not include any portion of such cap which is attributable to an amount of State credit limitation which has reverted under paragraph (3)(D) or subsection (a)(3)(B) or (b)(2)(A)(iv). (2) State credit limitation For purposes of this section, the State credit limitation with respect to any State for a calendar year is a dollar amount equal to 25 percent of the Move America volume cap exchanged under paragraph (1) for such calendar year. (3) Allocation (A) In general A State may allocate the State credit limitation, according to the qualified allocation plan, for any calendar year among— (i) qualified projects in the State for purposes of the Move America project credit under subsection (a), and (ii) qualified infrastructure funds in the State for purposes of the Move America infrastructure fund credit under subsection (b). (B) Qualified allocation plan (i) In general For purposes of this subsection, the term qualified allocation plan (I) which sets forth selection criteria to be used in determining infrastructure priorities of the State and allocating the State credit limitation among projects (in accordance with clause (ii)) and infrastructure funds in the State, and (II) which provides a procedure that the State (or an agent or other private contractor of the State) will follow in monitoring for noncompliance with the provisions of this section and in notifying the Internal Revenue Service of such noncompliance. (ii) Limitation based on project feasibility for Move America project credits (I) In general In the case of an allocation with respect to any qualified project for purposes of the Move America project credit under subsection (a), such allocation shall not exceed the minimum amount which the State transportation authority or other applicable agency determines is required for the financial feasibility of the project and its viability for completion and availability for public use throughout the credit period. (II) Minimum feasibility determination In making the determination under subclause (I), such entity shall consider the sources and uses of funds and the total financing planned for the project, any proceeds or receipts expected to be generated by reason of tax benefits, the reasonableness of the developmental and operational costs of the project over the full expected operational life of the project, ancillary costs (including right-of-way and procurement costs), financing costs, and retained and transferred risk. (C) Special rules relating to Move America project credit (i) Limitation The amount allocated to a qualified project under subparagraph (A)(i) shall not exceed the eligible basis of such project. (ii) Eligible basis For purposes of this section, except as provided in clause (iii), the eligible basis of any qualified project is the lesser of— (I) the portion of the basis of such project which is attributable to the taxpayer's equity investment in the costs of the project which are subject to the allowance for depreciation (as estimated as of the date of the allocation), or (II) 20 percent of the costs of the project which are subject to the allowance for depreciation (as estimated as of the date of the allocation). (iii) Exclusion of government assistance Eligible basis shall not include any portion of the basis of such project which is attributable to any assistance or financing provided by a Federal, State, or local government (as estimated as of the date of the allocation). (D) Reversion of unallocated limitation Any portion of the State credit limitation for any calendar year which remains unallocated as of the last day of such calendar year shall revert to inclusion in the State's Move America volume cap under section 142A(d) as if it had never been exchanged under paragraph (1). . (b) Credits made part of general business credit Subsection (b) of section 38 (1) by striking plus (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting a comma; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (37) the Move America project credit under section 42A(a)(1), plus (38) the Move America infrastructure fund credit under section 42A(b)(1). . (c) Clerical amendment The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 Sec. 42A. Move America credits. . (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (e) Reporting A State shall, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury shall require, report— (1) to the Secretary of the Treasury— (A) the amount of the Move America volume cap of the State for the calendar year which is exchanged under section 42A(c)(1) (B) the amount (if any) of the State credit limitation allocated under section 42A(c)(3)(A)(i) of such Code to qualified projects, the amount so allocated to each such project, and the taxpayer with respect to such project (including the name of the taxpayer and any other identifying information as the Secretary of the Treasury shall require); and (C) the amount (if any) of the State credit limitation allocated under section 42A(c)(3)(A)(ii) of such Code to qualified infrastructure funds, the amount so allocated to each such fund, and each taxpayer holding any Move America investment with respect to any such fund (including the name of the taxpayer and any other identifying information as the Secretary of the Treasury shall require); (2) to the Secretary of the Treasury and any taxpayer who is the project sponsor of a qualified project receiving an allocation under section 42A(c)(3)(A)(i) of such Code, the date on which the qualified project is placed in service; and (3) to the Secretary of the Treasury and any taxpayer holding a Move America investment, a certification that the entity which issued the investment is a qualified infrastructure fund and that the investment will be used to make qualified investments designated for purposes of section 42A(b)(2)(A)(i)(III) For purposes of this subsection, any term used in this subsection that is also used in section 42A or 142A of such Code has the same meaning as when used in such section.

Summary: Move America Act of 2017 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax-exempt Move America bonds and tax credits to be used for certain infrastructure projects. A Move America bond is treated as a tax-exempt private facility bond with certain exceptions. At least 95% of the net proceeds from the issuance of the bond must be used for infrastructure projects, including: airports; docks and wharves; mass commuting facilities; facilities for the furnishing of water; sewage facilities; railroads; certain surface transportation projects eligible for federal assistance, projects for an international bridge or tunnel, or facilities for transferring freight from truck to rail or rail to truck; flood diversions; inland waterways; or rural broadband service infrastructure. The bill specifies exceptions and modifications to existing rules for bonds regarding land acquisition, government ownership, rehabilitation expenditures, and the alternative minimum tax. The bonds are subject to a volume cap equal to 50% of a state's current private activity bond volume cap. States may exchange all or a portion of the volume cap for Move America tax credits to be allocated to taxpayers. The credits include: (1) a project credit for a portion of the basis of each qualified project; and (2) an infrastructure fund credit for investments in qualified infrastructure funds, including a state infrastructure bank, a water pollution control revolving fund, or a drinking water treatment revolving loan fund. States must report specified details to the Department of the Treasury regarding the amount of the volume cap exchanged and credits allocated.