BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair AB 289 (Cedillo) Hearing Date: 08/25/2011 Amended: 05/24/2011 Consultant: Mark McKenzie Policy Vote: G&F 9-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 289 would extend a sales and use tax exemption until January 1, 2019 that applies to sales at thrift stores operated by nonprofit organizations that provides medical, hospice, or social services to persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund SUT revenue loss $246 $492 $492 General** $16 $31 $31 Special* $192 $383 $383 Local** ____________ $54 $108 $108 District * State Fiscal Recovery Fund ** Includes 2011-12 Budget Act shift of 1.0625% from General Fund portion to the Local Revenue Fund of 2011 for public safety realignment purposes. _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE. Existing law applies the sales and use tax to the sale or use of tangible personal property, unless specifically exempted or excluded. AB 3187 (Martinez), Chapter 781 of 1996, established a sales and use tax exemption for sales of used clothing, household items, and other retail items sold by thrift stores operated by a nonprofit organization. To qualify, at least 75 percent of the proceeds from thrift store sales fund medical, hospice, or social services to persons with HIV or AIDS. This exemption has been extended twice and is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2012. Certain other thrift stores, such as those operated by Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and St. Vincent de Paul, also qualify for a sales and use tax "welfare" exemption > (>) Page 1 by meeting a different set of statutory criteria. This bill would extend, until January 1, 2019, the sales and use tax exemption that applies to sales of merchandise by thrift stores operated by a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide services to persons with HIV or AIDS. The Board of Equalization indicates that there are currently three nonprofit organizations operating thrift stores that qualify for the exemption provided in this bill. These organizations hold seller's permits, file tax returns, and claimed exempt sales of $12.5 million in 2009. Total sales and use tax revenue losses associated with this magnitude of exempt sales would be approximately $1 million.