(b) For the purposes of this section:
(i) "Commercial operation" means the same as "commencement of commercial production" as used in RCW
82.08.965.
(ii) "Semiconductor microchip fabrication" means "manufacturing semiconductor microchips" as defined in RCW
82.04.426.
(iii) "Significant" means the combined investment of new buildings and new machinery and equipment in the buildings, at the commencement of commercial production, will be at least $500,000,000.
(2) The sections referenced in subsection (1) of this section take effect the first day of the month in which a contract for the construction of a significant semiconductor fabrication facility is signed, if the contract is signed and received by January 1, 2034, as determined by the director of the department of revenue.
(3)(a) The department of revenue must provide notice of the effective date of the sections referenced in subsection (1) of this section to affected taxpayers, the legislature, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the department.
(b) If, after making a determination that a contract has been signed and the sections referenced in subsection (1) of this section are effective, the department discovers that commencement of commercial production did not take place within three years of the date the contract was signed, the department must make a determination that are no longer effective, and all taxes that would have been otherwise due are deemed deferred taxes and are immediately assessed and payable from any person reporting tax under RCW
82.04.241 or claiming an exemption or credit under RCW
82.04.426,
82.04.448,
82.08.965,
82.12.965,
82.08.970,
82.12.970, or
84.36.645. The department is not authorized to make a second determination regarding the effective date of the sections referenced in subsection (1) of this section.
(4)(a) This section expires January 1, 2034, if the contingency in subsection (2) of this section does not occur by January 1, 2034, as determined by the department.
(b) The department must provide written notice of the expiration date of this section and the sections referenced in subsection (1) of this section to affected taxpayers, the legislature, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the department.