1020-S AMS POUL RODG 039

SHB 1020 - S AMD 600

By Senators Poulsen and Morton

ADOPTED 4/15/05

On page 1, line 5, strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby created the interconnection technical advisory group.

(a) Membership of the group shall consist of one member from each of the investor-owned utilities in the state, one member representing small public utility districts, one member representing large public utility districts, one member representing small municipal electric utilities, one member representing large municipal electric utilities, one member representing electric cooperative utilities, one member each representing industrial customers of an investor owned utilities and consumer owned utilities. The members representing public utility districts, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, and industrial customers shall each be appointed by their respective statewide associations.

(b) The group shall elect a chair from among its members.

(d) Members of the group shall serve without compensation.

(2) The group must review and study technical, engineering, operational, safety, liability, and procedural issues, and for investor-owned utilities regulatory issues, related to interconnecting customer-generator facilities for all utilities operating or serving customers in the state.

(3) By August 30, 2006, the group must establish, by majority agreement, recommendations for the items specified in subsection (2) of this section. The group must submit the recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply.

(a) "Consumer-owned utility" means a municipal electric utility formed under Title 35 RCW, a public utility district formed under Title 54 RCW, an irrigation district formed under chapter 87.03 RCW, a cooperative formed under chapter 23.86 RCW, or a mutual corporation or association formed under chapter 24.06 RCW, that is engaged in the business of distributing electricity to more than one retail electric customer in the state.

(b) "Customer-generator" means a residential, commercial, or industrial customer that generates electricity, including but not limited to a customer-generator as defined in RCW 80.60.010.

(c) "Customer-generator facility" means the equipment used by a customer-generator to generate, manage, and monitor electricity. A customer-generator facility includes an electric generator and/or an equipment package.

(d) "Electric cooperative" means a cooperative or association organized under chapter 23.86 or 24.06 RCW.

(e) "Electric distribution system" means the infrastructure constructed and maintained by an electric utility to deliver electric service to end-users.

(f) "Equipment package" means a group of components connecting an electric generator with an electric distribution system, and includes all interface equipment including switchgear, inverters, or other interface devices. An equipment package may include an integrated generator or electric source.

(g) "Interconnection" means the connection of a customer-generator facility to the electric distribution system, as well as the ongoing operation of the customer-generator facility after it is connected to the system.

(h) "Investor-owned utility" means a company owned by investors that meets the definition of electrical company in RCW 80.04.010 and is engaged in distributing electricity to more than one retail electric customer in the state.

(i) "Municipal electric utility" means a city or town that owns or operates an electric utility authorized by chapter 35.92 RCW.

(j) "Public utility district" means a district authorized by chapter 54.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The legislature finds that the use of renewable energy resources generated from local sources such as solar and wind power benefit our state by reducing the load on the state's electric energy grid, by providing nonpolluting sources of electricity generation, and by the creation of jobs for local industries that develop and sell renewable energy products and technologies.

The legislature finds that Washington state has become a national and international leader in the technologies related to the solar electric markets. The state can support these industries by providing incentives for the purchase of locally made renewable energy products. Locally made renewable technologies benefit and protect the state's environment. The legislature also finds that the state's economy can be enhanced through the creation of incentives to develop additional renewable energy industries in the state.

The legislature intends to provide incentives for the greater use of locally created renewable energy technologies, support and retain existing local industries, and create new opportunities for renewable energy industries to develop in Washington state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Customer-generated electricity" means the alternating current electricity that is generated from a renewable energy system located on an individual's, businesses', or local government's real property that is also provided electricity generated by a light and power business. A system located on a leasehold interest does not qualify under this definition. "Customer-generated electricity" does not include electricity generated by a light and power business with greater than one thousand megawatt hours of annual sales or a gas distribution business.

(2) "Economic development kilowatt-hour" means the actual kilowatt-hour measurement of customer-generated electricity multiplied by the appropriate economic development factor.

(3) "Photovoltaic cell" means a device that converts light directly into electricity without moving parts.

(4) "Renewable energy system" means a solar energy system, an anaerobic digester as defined in RCW 82.08.900, or a wind generator used for producing electricity.

(5) "Solar energy system" means any device or combination of devices or elements that rely upon direct sunlight as an energy source for use in the generation of electricity.

(6) "Solar inverter" means the device used to convert direct current to alternating current in a photovoltaic cell system.

(7) "Solar module" means the smallest nondivisible self-contained physical structure housing interconnected photovoltaic cells and providing a single direct current electrical output.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Any individual, business, or local governmental entity, not in the light and power business or in the gas distribution business, may apply to the light and power business serving the situs of the system, each fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2005, for an investment cost recovery incentive for each kilowatt-hour from a customer-generated electricity renewable energy system installed on its property. No incentive may be paid for kilowatt-hours generated before July 1, 2005, or after June 30, 2015.

(2)(a) Before submitting for the first time the application for the incentive allowed under this section, the applicant shall submit to the department of revenue and to the climate and rural energy development center at the Washington State University, established under RCW 28B.30.642, a certification in a form and manner prescribed by the department that includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

(i) The name and address of the applicant and location of the renewable energy system;

(ii) The applicant's tax registration number;

(iii) That the electricity produced by the applicant meets the definition of "customer-generated electricity" and that the renewable energy system produces electricity with:

(A) Any solar inverters and solar modules manufactured in Washington state;

(B) A wind generator powered by blades manufactured in Washington state;

(D) A solar module manufactured in Washington state; or

(E) Solar or wind equipment manufactured outside of Washington state;

(iv) That the electricity can be transformed or transmitted for entry into or operation in parallel with electricity transmission and distribution systems;

(v) The date that the renewable energy system received its final electrical permit from the applicable local jurisdiction.

(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the certification the department of revenue shall advise the applicant in writing whether the renewable energy system qualifies for an incentive under this section. The department may consult with the climate and rural energy development center to determine eligibility for the incentive. System certifications and the information contained therein are subject to disclosure under RCW 82.32.330(3)(m).

(3)(a) By August 1st of each year application for the incentive shall be made to the light and power business serving the situs of the system by certification in a form and manner prescribed by the department that includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

(i) The name and address of the applicant and location of the renewable energy system;

(ii) The applicant's tax registration number;

(iii) The date of the letter from the department of revenue stating that the renewable energy system is eligible for the incentives under this section;

(iv) A statement of the amount of kilowatt-hours generated by the renewable energy system in the prior fiscal year.

(b) Within sixty days of receipt of the incentive certification the light and power business serving the situs of the system shall notify the applicant in writing whether the incentive payment will be authorized or denied. The business may consult with the climate and rural energy development center to determine eligibility for the incentive payment. Incentive certifications and the information contained therein are subject to disclosure under RCW 82.32.330(3)(m).

(c)(i) Persons receiving incentive payments shall keep and preserve, for a period of five years, suitable records as may be necessary to determine the amount of incentive applied for and received. Such records shall be open for examination at any time upon notice by the light and power business that made the payment or by the department. If upon examination of any records or from other information obtained by the business or department it appears that an incentive has been paid in an amount that exceeds the correct amount of incentive payable, the business may assess against the person for the amount found to have been paid in excess of the correct amount of incentive payable and shall add thereto interest on the amount. Interest shall be assessed in the manner that the department assesses interest upon delinquent tax under RCW 82.32.050.

(ii) If it appears that the amount of incentive paid is less than the correct amount of incentive payable the business may authorize additional payment.

(4) The investment cost recovery incentive may be paid fifteen cents per economic development kilowatt-hour unless requests exceed the amount authorized for credit to the participating light and power business. For the purposes of this section, the rate paid for the investment cost recovery incentive may be multiplied by the following factors:

(a) For customer-generated electricity produced using solar modules manufactured in Washington state, two and four-tenths;

(b) For customer-generated electricity produced using a solar or a wind generator equipped with an inverter manufactured in Washington state, one and two-tenths;

(c) For customer-generated electricity produced using an anaerobic digester, or by other solar equipment or using a wind generator equipped with blades manufactured in Washington state, one; and

(d) For all other customer-generated electricity produced by wind, eight-tenths.

(5) No individual, household, business, or local governmental entity is eligible for incentives for more than two thousand dollars per year.

(6) If requests for the investment cost recovery incentive exceed the amount of funds available for credit to the participating light and power business, the incentive payments shall be reduced proportionately.

(7) The climate and rural energy development center at Washington State University energy program may establish guidelines and standards for technologies that are identified as Washington manufactured and therefore most beneficial to the state's environment.

(8) The environmental attributes of the renewable energy system belong to the applicant, and do not transfer to the state or the light and power business upon receipt of the investment cost recovery incentive.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) A light and power business shall be allowed a credit against taxes due under this chapter in an amount equal to investment cost recovery incentive payments made in any fiscal year under section 4 of this act. The credit shall be taken in a form and manner as required by the department. The credit under this section for the fiscal year shall not exceed twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent of the businesses' taxable power sales due under RCW 82.16.020(1)(b) or twenty-five thousand dollars, whichever is greater. The credit may not exceed the tax that would otherwise be due under this chapter. Refunds shall not be granted in the place of credits. Expenditures not used to earn a credit in one fiscal year may not be used to earn a credit in subsequent years.

(2) For any business that has claimed credit for amounts that exceed the correct amount of the incentive payable under section 4 of this act, the amount of tax against which credit was claimed for the excess payments shall be immediately due and payable. The department shall assess interest but not penalties on the taxes against which the credit was claimed. Interest shall be assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under chapter 82.32 RCW, retroactively to the date the credit was claimed, and shall accrue until the taxes against which the credit was claimed are repaid.

(3) The right to earn tax credits under this section expires June 30, 2016. Credits may not be claimed after June 30, 2017.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) Using existing sources of information, the department shall report to the house appropriations committee, the house committee dealing with energy issues, the senate committee on ways and means, and the senate committee dealing with energy issues by December 1, 2013. The report shall measure the impacts of sections 2 through 5 this act, including the total number of solar energy system manufacturing companies in the state, any change in the number of solar energy system manufacturing companies in the state, and, where relevant, the effect on job creation, the number of jobs created for Washington residents, and such other factors as the department selects.

(2) The department shall not conduct any new surveys to provide the report in subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 2 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 82.16 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The legislature finds that the welfare of the people of the state of Washington is positively impacted through the encouragement and expansion of key growth industries in the state. The legislature further finds that targeting tax incentives to focus on key growth industries is an important strategy to enhance the state's business climate.

A recent report by the Washington State University energy program recognized the solar electric industry as one of the state's important growth industries. It is of great concern that businesses in this industry have been increasingly expanding and relocating their operations elsewhere. The report indicates that additional incentives for the solar electric industry are needed in recognition of the unique forces and issues involved in business decisions in this industry.

Therefore, the legislature intends to enact comprehensive tax incentives for the solar electric industry that address activities of the manufacture of these products and to encourage these industries to locate in Washington. Tax incentives for the solar electric industry are important in both retention and expansion of existing business and attraction of new businesses, all of which will strengthen this growth industry within our state, will create jobs, and will bring many indirect benefits to the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Beginning October 1, 2005, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of manufacturing solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or silicon components of such systems; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall, in the case of manufacturers, be equal to the value of the product manufactured, or in the case of processors for hire, be equal to the gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.

(2) Beginning October 1, 2005, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of making sales at wholesale of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or silicon components of such systems, manufactured by that person; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business shall be equal to the gross proceeds of sales of the solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.

(3) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(a) "Module" means the smallest nondivisible self-contained physical structure housing interconnected photovoltaic cells and providing a single direct current electrical output.

(b) "Photovoltaic cell" means a device that converts light directly into electricity without moving parts.

(c) "Solar energy system" means any device or combination of devices or elements that rely upon direct sunlight as an energy source for use in the generation of electricity.

(4) This section expires June 30, 2014.

Sec. 10. RCW 82.04.440 and 2004 c 174 s 5 and 2004 c 24 s 7 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) Every person engaged in activities which are within the purview of the provisions of two or more of sections RCW 82.04.230 to 82.04.298, inclusive, shall be taxable under each paragraph applicable to the activities engaged in.

(2) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.2909(2), 82.04.250, 82.04.270, section 9(2) of this act, or 82.04.260 (4) or (13) with respect to selling products in this state shall be allowed a credit against those taxes for any (a) manufacturing taxes paid with respect to the manufacturing of products so sold in this state, and/or (b) extracting taxes paid with respect to the extracting of products so sold in this state or ingredients of products so sold in this state. Extracting taxes taken as credit under subsection (3) of this section may also be taken under this subsection, if otherwise allowable under this subsection. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the tax liability arising under this chapter with respect to the sale of those products.

(3) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.240 or 82.04.260(1)(b) shall be allowed a credit against those taxes for any extracting taxes paid with respect to extracting the ingredients of the products so manufactured in this state. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the tax liability arising under this chapter with respect to the manufacturing of those products.

(4) Persons taxable under RCW 82.04.230, 82.04.240, 82.04.2909(1), section 9(1) of this act, or 82.04.260 (1), (2), (4), (6), or (13) with respect to extracting or manufacturing products in this state shall be allowed a credit against those taxes for any (i) gross receipts taxes paid to another state with respect to the sales of the products so extracted or manufactured in this state, (ii) manufacturing taxes paid with respect to the manufacturing of products using ingredients so extracted in this state, or (iii) manufacturing taxes paid with respect to manufacturing activities completed in another state for products so manufactured in this state. The amount of the credit shall not exceed the tax liability arising under this chapter with respect to the extraction or manufacturing of those products.

(5) For the purpose of this section:

(a) "Gross receipts tax" means a tax:

(i) Which is imposed on or measured by the gross volume of business, in terms of gross receipts or in other terms, and in the determination of which the deductions allowed would not constitute the tax an income tax or value added tax; and

(ii) Which is also not, pursuant to law or custom, separately stated from the sales price.

(b) "State" means (i) the state of Washington, (ii) a state of the United States other than Washington, or any political subdivision of such other state, (iii) the District of Columbia, and (iv) any foreign country or political subdivision thereof.

(c) "Manufacturing tax" means a gross receipts tax imposed on the act or privilege of engaging in business as a manufacturer, and includes (i) the taxes imposed in RCW 82.04.240, 82.04.2909(1), ((and)) 82.04.260 (1), (2), (4), and (13), and section 9(1) of this act; and (ii) similar gross receipts taxes paid to other states.

(d) "Extracting tax" means a gross receipts tax imposed on the act or privilege of engaging in business as an extractor, and includes the tax imposed in RCW 82.04.230 and similar gross receipts taxes paid to other states.

(e) "Business", "manufacturer", "extractor", and other terms used in this section have the meanings given in RCW 82.04.020 through 82.04.212, notwithstanding the use of those terms in the context of describing taxes imposed by other states.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 82.08 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 shall not apply to charges made for labor and services rendered in respect to the constructing of investment projects, and tangible personal property that will be incorporated as an ingredient or component of investment projects during the course of constructing, either of which is used for the manufacture of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules into a solar energy system or for the manufacture of silicon components of such systems, located in a rural county. The exemption is available only when the buyer provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller shall retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.

(2) To be eligible under this section the person must use the investment project for the manufacturing of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules into a solar energy system or silicon components of such systems for an eight-year period, such period beginning the day the investment project commences commercial production, or a portion of tax otherwise due shall be immediately due and payable pursuant to subsection (3) of this section:

(a) Before commencing commercial production at the investment project, the person must meet with the department to determine the date on which commercial production commences. This date shall be used throughout the eight-year period to determine whether any tax is to be repaid. This information is not subject to the confidentiality provisions of RCW 82.32.330.

(b) No application is necessary for the tax exemption. The person is subject to all the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW. A person taking the exemption under this section must report as required under section 15 of this act.

(3) If the investment project is not used for manufacturing solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules or silicon components of such systems for any one calendar year, one-eighth of the exempt sales and use taxes shall be due and payable by April 1st of the following year. The department shall assess interest, but not penalties, on the taxes for which the person is not eligible. The interest shall be assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under this chapter, retroactively to the date the exemption was claimed, and shall accrue until the taxes for which the exemption was claimed are repaid.

(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.

(a) "Commencement of commercial production" is deemed to have occurred when the equipment and process qualifications in the investment project are completed and production for sale has begun.

(b) "Investment project" means an investment in qualified buildings or qualified machinery and equipment, including labor and services rendered in the planning, installation, and construction of the project. An investment project does not include any portion of an investment project undertaken by a light and power business as defined in RCW 82.16.010(5), other than that portion of a cogeneration project that is used to generate power for consumption within the manufacturing site of which the cogeneration project is an integral part.

(d) "Qualified buildings" means construction of new structures including parking facilities, and expansion or renovation of existing structures, for the purpose of increasing floor space or production capacity used for manufacturing, including plant offices and warehouses or other facilities for the storage of raw material or finished goods if such facilities are an essential or an integral part of a factory, mill, or plant, used for manufacturing. If a building is used partly for manufacturing and partly for other purposes, the applicable tax exemption shall be determined by apportionment of the costs of construction under rules adopted by the department.

(e) "Qualified machinery and equipment" means all new industrial fixtures, equipment, and support facilities that are an integral and necessary part of a manufacturing operation. "Qualified machinery and equipment" includes manufacturing components such as belts, pulleys, shafts, and moving parts; molds, tools, and dies; operating structures; and all equipment used to control or operate the machinery.

(f) "Rural county" means a county with a population density of fewer than four persons per square mile.

(g) "Solar energy system" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 of this act.

(5) No exemption may be taken after June 30, 2014, however all of the eligibility criteria and limitations are applicable to any exemptions claimed before that date.

(6) This section expires June 30, 2014.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to the use of tangible personal property that will be incorporated as an ingredient or component of investment projects, either of which is used for the manufacture of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules into a solar energy system or for the manufacture of silicon components of such systems, located in a rural county, as defined in section 11 of this act, during the course of constructing such investment projects or to labor and services rendered in respect to installing, during the course of constructing, building fixtures not otherwise eligible for the exemption under RCW 82.08.02565(2)(b).

(2) The eligibility requirements, conditions, and definitions in section 11 of this act apply to this section.

(3) No exemption may be taken after June 30, 2014, however all of the eligibility criteria and limitations are applicable to any exemptions claimed before that date.

(4) This section expires June 30, 2014.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Subject to the limits and provisions of this section, a credit is authorized against the tax otherwise due under section 9 of this act for each full-time employment position created by persons engaged in the business of manufacturing solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules into a solar energy system or the of manufacturing silicon components of such systems. For the purposes of this section "solar energy system" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 of this act.

(2)(a) The credit under this section shall equal three thousand dollars for each full-time employment position used in manufacturing process that takes place in investment projects exempt from sales and use tax under sections 11 and 12 of this act. A credit is earned for the calendar year a person fills a position. Additionally a credit is earned for each year the position is maintained over the subsequent consecutive years, up to eight years. Those positions that are not filled for the entire year are eligible for fifty percent of the credit if filled less than six months, and the entire credit if filled six months or more.

(b) To qualify for the credit, the manufacturing activity of the person must be conducted at an investment project that qualifies for the exemption from sales and use tax under sections 11 and 12 of this act.

(3) No application is necessary for the tax credit. The person is subject to all of the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW. In no case may a credit earned during one calendar year be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred in a subsequent calendar year. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.

(4) If at any time the department finds that a person is not eligible for tax credit under this section, the amount of taxes for which a credit has been claimed shall be immediately due. The department shall assess interest, but not penalties, on the taxes for which the person is not eligible. The interest shall be assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under chapter 82.32 RCW, shall be retroactive to the date the tax credit was taken, and shall accrue until the taxes for which a credit has been used are repaid.

(5) A person taking the credit under this section must report under section 15 of this act.

(6) Credits may be taken after July 1, 2005, for those investment projects at which commercial production began before June 30, 2014, subject to all of the eligibility criteria and limitations of this section.

(7) This section expires June 30, 2014.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 84.36 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Machinery and equipment exempt under RCW 82.08.02565 or 82.12.02565 used exclusively in the manufacture of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules into a solar energy system or the manufacture of silicon components of such systems, at an investment project exempt from sales and use tax under sections 11 and 12 of this act are exempt from property taxation. "Solar energy system" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 of this act.

(2) A person seeking this exemption must make application to the county assessor, on forms prescribed by the department.

(3) This section is effective for taxes levied for collection one year after the effective date of this section and thereafter.

(4) This section expires December 31, 2014, for taxes levied for collection in the following year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 82.32 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that accountability and effectiveness are important aspects of setting tax policy. In order to make policy choices regarding the best use of limited state resources the legislature needs information on how a tax incentive is used.

(2)(a) A person who reports taxes under section 9 of this act shall make an annual report to the department detailing employment, wages, and employer-provided health and retirement benefits per job at the manufacturing site. The report shall not include names of employees. The report shall also detail employment by the total number of full-time, part-time, and temporary positions. The first report filed under this subsection shall include employment, wage, and benefit information for the twelve-month period immediately before first use of a preferential tax rate under section 9 of this act. The report is due by March 31st following any year in which a preferential tax rate under section 9 of this act is used. This information is not subject to the confidentiality provisions of RCW 82.32.330.

(b) If a person fails to submit an annual report under (a) of this subsection, the department shall declare the amount of taxes reduced for the previous calendar year to be immediately due and payable. Excise taxes payable under this subsection are subject to interest, but not penalties, at the rate provided for delinquent taxes, as provided under this chapter. The department shall assess interest, retroactively to the date the preferential tax rate under section 9 of this act, was used. The interest shall be assessed at the rate provided for delinquent excise taxes under this chapter, and shall accrue until the taxes for which the preferential tax rate was used are repaid. This information is not subject to the confidentiality provisions of RCW 82.32.330.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. (1) Using existing sources of information, the department shall report to the house appropriations committee, the house committee dealing with energy issues, the senate committee on ways and means, and the senate committee dealing with energy issues by December 1, 2013. The report shall measure the impacts of sections 9 through 14 this act, including the total number of solar energy system and silicon component manufacturing companies in the state, any change in the number of solar energy system and silicon component manufacturing companies in the state, and, where relevant, the effect on job creation, the number of jobs created for Washington residents, and any other factors the department selects.

(2) The department shall not conduct any new surveys to provide the report in subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2005."

Correct the title.

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EFFECT: Addresses energy issues relating to interconnection standards and renewable energy.