HB 1461 Summary: Energy Economic Zones

• Establishes tax credits and incentives for pilot energy economic zone communities, including jobs credits, property tax credits, and sales tax credits for renewable energy and clean technology manufacturers.

• Exempts building materials used in energy-efficient structures (meeting LEED standards) and business property located in energy economic zones from sales and use taxes through refund mechanisms, with refunds capped at $5,000 ($10,000 if 20% of employees are zone residents).

• Designates energy economic zones as transportation concurrency exception areas exempt from certain state review requirements and exempts density bonuses from growth accommodation calculations under chapter 163.

• Defines "clean technology industries and technologies" to include clean transportation, clean energy, clean materials, and clean water industries with specific examples such as advanced batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaics, and wetlands restoration.

• Requires pilot communities to collaborate with water management districts and state agencies to test sub-basin modeling, credit systems, and green infrastructure methods to promote energy-efficient land use.