Substitute House Bill No. 5300, Public Act No. 24-33, is an act that amends the Invest CT Fund Program, with an effective date of October 1, 2024. The bill defines several terms related to the program, sets conditions for businesses to qualify as eligible for investment, and describes the characteristics of an Invest CT fund. It also establishes a tax credit system for investments made into these funds, with a schedule that varies depending on the timing of the investment. The bill imposes a cap on the amount of tax credits allowed in a year and specifies the application process for certification as an Invest CT fund, including the requirement to invest in green technology businesses and preseed investments.
The bill also includes new investment commitments for applications submitted after September 1, 2015, such as investing a minimum percentage in cybersecurity businesses and in eligible businesses located in larger municipalities. It allows the commissioner to consider businesses outside Connecticut as eligible under certain conditions until September 30, 2026, and requires the commissioner to report to the General Assembly on these exceptions. The bill outlines the conditions for an Invest CT fund to remain certified, including investment targets and annual reporting requirements. It details the state's share in distributions from Invest CT funds, the commissioner's authority to review compliance, and the grounds and process for decertification of a fund, which may lead to the forfeiture of future tax credits if certain investment thresholds are not met.