BILL REQ. #:  H-1859.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/13/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to modifying the business and occupation tax on wholesalers of solar energy systems and sales and use tax treatment of semiconductor materials; and amending RCW 82.04.294, 82.08.9651, and 82.12.9651.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 82.04.294 and 2007 c 54 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Beginning October 1, 2005, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of manufacturing solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or of manufacturing solar grade silicon to be used exclusively in 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.
     (b) Beginning October 1, 2009, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of manufacturing solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or of manufacturing solar grade silicon, silicon solar wafers, silicon solar cells, thin film solar devices, or compound semiconductor solar wafers to be used exclusively in components of such systems; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business is, in the case of manufacturers, equal to the value of the product manufactured, or in the case of processors for hire, equal to the gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate of 0.275 percent.
     (2)(a) 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 of solar grade silicon to be used exclusively in 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, or of the solar grade silicon to be used exclusively in components of such systems, multiplied by the rate of 0.2904 percent.
     (b) Beginning October 1, 2009, upon every person engaging within this state in the business of making sales at wholesale of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or of solar grade silicon, silicon solar wafers, silicon solar cells, thin film solar devices, or compound semiconductor solar wafers to be used exclusively in components of such systems, manufactured by that person; as to such persons the amount of tax with respect to such business is equal to the gross proceeds of sales of the solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules, or of the solar grade silicon to be used exclusively in components of such systems, multiplied by the rate of 0.275 percent.
     (3) Beginning October 1, 2009, silicon solar wafers, silicon solar cells, thin film solar devices, or compound semiconductor solar wafers are "semiconductor materials" for the purposes of RCW 82.08.9651 and 82.12.9651.
     (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section.
     (a) "Compound semiconductor solar wafers" means a semiconductor solar wafer composed of elements from two or more different groups of the periodic table.
     (b) "Module" means the smallest nondivisible self-contained physical structure housing interconnected photovoltaic cells and providing a single direct current electrical output.
     (((b))) (c) "Photovoltaic cell" means a device that converts light directly into electricity without moving parts.
     (((c))) (d) "Silicon solar cells" means a photovoltaic cell manufactured from a silicon solar wafer.
     (e) "Silicon solar wafers" means a silicon wafer manufactured for solar conversion purposes.
     (f) "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.
     (((d))) (g) "Solar grade silicon" means high-purity silicon used exclusively in components of solar energy systems using photovoltaic modules to capture direct sunlight. "Solar grade silicon" does not include silicon used in semiconductors.
     (((4))) (h) "Thin film solar devices" means a nonparticipating substrate on which various semiconducting materials are deposited to produce a photovoltaic cell that is used to generate electricity.
     (5) This section expires June 30, 2014.

Sec. 2   RCW 82.08.9651 and 2006 c 84 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 shall not apply to sales of gases and chemicals used by a manufacturer or processor for hire in the production of semiconductor materials. This exemption is limited to gases and chemicals used in the production process to grow the product, deposit or grow permanent or sacrificial layers on the product, to etch or remove material from the product, to anneal the product, to immerse the product, to clean the product, and other such uses whereby the gases and chemicals come into direct contact with the product during the production process, or uses of gases and chemicals to clean the chambers and other like equipment in which such processing takes place. For the purposes of this section, "semiconductor materials" has the meaning provided in RCW 82.04.2404 and 82.04.294(3).
     (2) A person taking the exemption under this section must report under RCW 82.32.5351. No application is necessary for the tax exemption. The person is subject to all of the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW.
     (3) This section expires twelve years after December 1, 2006.

Sec. 3   RCW 82.12.9651 and 2006 c 84 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to the use of gases and chemicals used by a manufacturer or processor for hire in the production of semiconductor materials. This exemption is limited to gases and chemicals used in the production process to grow the product, deposit or grow permanent or sacrificial layers on the product, to etch or remove material from the product, to anneal the product, to immerse the product, to clean the product, and other such uses whereby the gases and chemicals come into direct contact with the product during the production process, or uses of gases and chemicals to clean the chambers and other like equipment in which such processing takes place. For purposes of this section, "semiconductor materials" has the meaning provided in RCW 82.04.2404 and 82.04.294(3).
     (2) A person taking the exemption under this section must report under RCW 82.32.5351. No application is necessary for the tax exemption. The person is subject to all of the requirements of chapter 82.32 RCW.
     (3) This section expires twelve years after December 1, 2006.