2009 House Bill 5275

Give $100 million subsidy to an "energy conversion device" maker

Introduced in the House

Aug. 19, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Lisa Brown (D-39)

To give a four-year, $100 million subsidy to a joint venture of rhe the "Xtreme Power" and "Clairvoyant Energy" corporations, which would employ 300 at the fomer Ford Wixom assembly plant making “large scale power systems designed to convert variable renewable power into firm dispatchable power.” The subsidy is structured as a "refundable" tax credit, meaning the state will send a check for the amount that the credit exceeds the company's tax liability.

Referred to the Committee on New Economy and Quality of Life

Aug. 26, 2009

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Sept. 2, 2009

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To require the company to create 2,500 jobs to get the subsidy, rather than 300.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To require the company to contract with Michigan construction and equipment-making companies to qualify for the subsidy.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 71, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 71 would require the Michigan Economic Growth Authority to file annual reports that disclose not just aggregate data on the deals offered to particular firms it selects, but also details about the tax break and subsidy deals offered to particular firms.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 90 to 17 (details)

Received in the Senate

Sept. 9, 2009

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism