Amended in Senate September 3, 2015

Amended in Senate August 17, 2015

Amended in Senate July 1, 2015

Amended in Assembly May 5, 2015

Amended in Assembly March 19, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 449

Introduced by Assembly Member Irwin

(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Wilk)

(Principal coauthors: Senators Hertzberg and Pavley)

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Baker, Brown, Chávez, Cristina Garcia, Jones, Maienschein, Steinorth, and Waldron)

(Coauthors: Senators Allen, Anderson, and Vidak)

February 23, 2015

An act to add begin delete Sections 17140.4 and end delete begin insert Section end insert 23711.4 to the Revenue and Taxation Code, and to add begin delete Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 4875) to Division 4.5 of end delete begin insert Sections 4877, 4878, 4880, 4882, and 4884 to end insert the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to taxation, and making an appropriation therefor.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 449, as amended, Irwin. Income taxation: savings plans: Qualified ABLE Program.

The Personal Income Tax Law and the Corporation Tax Law, in specified conformity with federal income tax laws regarding qualified tuition programs, provide that distributions from a qualified tuition program are generally not included in the income of the donor or the beneficiary, as specified.

Existing federal law, the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act), for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, encourages and assists individuals and families to save private funds for the purpose of supporting persons with disabilities to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life by excluding from gross income distributions used for qualified disability expenses by a beneficiary of a Qualified ABLE Program established and maintained by a state, as specified.

This bill would, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, conform to these federal income tax law provisions relating to the ABLE Act under begin delete the Personal Income Tax Law and end delete the Corporation Tax Law, as provided. The bill would also establish in state government the ABLE program trust for purposes of implementing the federal ABLE Act. The bill would begin delete create end delete begin insert authorize end insert the ABLE Act Board begin delete and would authorize the board end delete to adopt regulations to implement the program. The bill would create the program fund, a continuously appropriated fund, thereby making an appropriation, and the administrative fund, as specified. The bill would require the begin delete Board end delete begin insert board end insert to administer the program in compliance with the requirements of the federal ABLE Act.

begin insert

This bill would become operative only if SB 324 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2016.

end insert

Vote: majority. Appropriation: yes. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

It is the intent of the Legislature to further the
purposes of the federal Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life
Experience Act to ensure that people with disabilities may save
for the future to achieve greater independence.

SEC. 2.  

This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the
California Achieving a Better Life Experience Act.

begin delete

SEC. 3.  

Section 17140.4 is added to the Revenue and Taxation
Code, to read:

17140.4.  

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1,
2016, Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to
qualified ABLE programs, added by Section 102 of Division B of
Public Law 113-295, shall apply, except as otherwise provided.

(a) Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code is modified as
follows:

(1) By substituting the phrase “under this part and Part 11
(commencing with Section 23001)” in lieu of the phrase “under
this subtitle.”

(2) By substituting “Article 2 (commencing with Section
23731)” in lieu of “Section 511.”

(b) A copy of the report required to be filed with the Secretary
of the Treasury under Section 529A(d) of the Internal Revenue
Code, relating to reports, shall be filed with the Franchise Tax
Board at the same time and in the same manner as specified in that
section.

end delete

begin delete SEC. 4. end delete
begin insert SEC. 3. end insert   

Section 23711.4 is added to the Revenue and Taxation
Code, to read:

23711.4.  

For taxable years beginning on or after January 1,
2016, Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code, relating to
qualified ABLE programs, added by Section 102 of Division B of
Public Law 113-295, shall apply, except as otherwise provided.

(a) Section begin delete 529A end delete begin insert 529A(a) end insert of the Internal Revenue Code is
modified as follows:

(1) By substituting the phrase “under Part 10 (commencing with
Section 17001) and this part” in lieu of the phrase “under this
subtitle.”

(2) By substituting “Article 2 (commencing with Section
23731)” in lieu of “Section 511.”

begin insert

(b) Section 529A(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code is
modified by substituting “2.5 percent” in lieu of “10 percent.”

end insert begin delete

(b)

end delete

begin insert (c) end insert  A copy of the report required to be filed with the Secretary
of the Treasury under Section 529A(d) of the Internal revenue
Code, relating to reports shall be filed with the Franchise Tax
Board at the same time and in the same manner as specified in that
section.

begin delete

SEC. 5.  

Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 4875) is added
to Division 4.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

 

Chapter  15. Qualified ABLE Program

 

4875.  

For purposes of this chapter:

(a) “ABLE account” or “account” means the account established
and owned by a designated beneficiary pursuant to this chapter
for the purpose of meeting the qualified disability expenses of the
designated beneficiary of the account.

(b)  “Administrative fund” means the fund used to administer
this chapter.

(c) “Board” means the California ABLE Act Board established
under this chapter.

(d) “California ABLE Program Trust” or “ABLE program trust”
means the trust created pursuant to this chapter.

(e) “Designated beneficiary” means the eligible individual who
established an ABLE account and is the owner of the account.

(f) “Eligible individual” means an individual who is eligible
under the program for a taxable year if during that taxable year
both of the following criteria are met:

(1) The individual is entitled to benefits based on blindness or
disability under Title II or XVI of the federal Social Security Act,
and that blindness or disability occurred before the date on which
the individual attained 26 years of age.

(2) A disability certification, as defined in the federal ABLE
Act, with respect to the individual is filed pursuant to the
requirements set forth in the federal ABLE Act.

(g) “Federal ABLE Act” means the federal Stephen Beck Jr.,
Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014.

(h) “Investment management” means the functions performed
by a manager contracted to perform functions delegated by the
board.

(i) “Investment manager” means a manager contracted to
perform functions delegated by the board.

(j) “Program fund” means the program fund established by this
chapter, which shall be held as a separate fund within the California
ABLE Program Trust.

(k) “Qualified ABLE Program” or “program” means the program
established by this chapter to implement the federal ABLE Act
pursuant to Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code.

(l) “Qualified disability expenses” means any expenses related
to the eligible individual’s blindness or disability that are made
for the benefit of an eligible individual who is the designated
beneficiary, including expenses related to education, housing,
transportation, employment training and support, assistive
technology and personal support services, health, prevention and
wellness, financial management and administrative services, legal
fees, expenses for oversight and monitoring, funeral and burial
expenses, and other expenses, which are approved by the Secretary
of the Treasury under regulations and consistent with the purposes
of the federal ABLE Act.

4876.  

There is hereby created the California ABLE Act Board
that consists of the Treasurer, the Director of Finance, the
Controller, the Director of Developmental Services, the chairperson
of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Director
of Rehabilitation, and the Chair of the State Independent Living
Council, or their designees. The Treasurer shall serve as chair of
the board.

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 4. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4877 is added to the end insert begin insert Welfare and Institutions
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

4877.  

(a) There is hereby created an instrumentality of the
State of California to be known as the California ABLE Program
Trust.

(b) The purposes, powers, and duties of the California ABLE
Program Trust are vested in, and shall be exercised by, the board.

(c) The board, in the capacity of trustee, shall have the power
and authority to do all of the following:

(1) Sue and be sued.

(2) Make and enter into contracts necessary for the
administration of the ABLE program trust, and engage personnel,
including consultants, actuaries, managers, counsel, and auditors,
as necessary for the purpose of rendering professional, managerial,
and technical assistance and advice.

(3) Adopt a corporate seal and change and amend it from time
to time.

(4) Cause moneys in the program fund to be held and invested
and reinvested.

(5) Accept any grants, gifts, appropriations, and other moneys
from any unit of federal, state, or local government or any other
person, firm, partnership, or corporation for deposit to the
administrative fund or the program fund. begin delete The board may not accept
any contribution by any nonpublic entity, person, firm, partnership,
or corporation that is not designated for a specified designated
beneficiary. end delete

(6) Enter into agreements with designated beneficiaries or
eligible individuals to establish and maintain an ABLE account.

(7) Make provisions for the payment of costs of administration
and operation of the ABLE program trust.

(8) Carry out the duties and obligations of the ABLE program
trust pursuant to this chapter and the federal ABLE Act pursuant
to Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code and federal
regulations issued pursuant to that code, and have any other powers
as may be reasonably necessary for the effectuation of the purposes,
objectives, and provisions of this chapter.

(9) Carry out studies and projections in order to advise
designated beneficiaries or eligible individuals regarding present
and estimated future qualified disability expenses and the levels
of financial participation in the ABLE program trust required in
order to assist designated beneficiaries or eligible individuals.

(10) Participate in any other way in any federal, state, or local
governmental program for the benefit of the ABLE program trust.

(11) Promulgate, impose, and collect administrative fees and
charges in connection with transactions of the ABLE program
trust, and provide for reasonable service charges, including
penalties for cancellations.

(12) Set minimum and maximum investment levels.

(13) Administer the funds of the ABLE program trust.

(14) Procure insurance against any loss in connection with the
property, assets, or activities of the ABLE program trust.

(15) Procure insurance indemnifying any member of the board
from personal loss or liability resulting from a member’s action
or inaction as a member of the board.

(d) The Treasurer shall, on behalf of the board, appoint an
executive director, who shall not be a member of the board and
who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The Treasurer shall
determine the duties of the executive director and other staff as
necessary and set his or her compensation. The board may authorize
the executive director to enter into contracts on behalf of the board
or conduct any business necessary for the efficient operation of
the board.

begin delete

4878.  

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 5. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4878 is added to the end insert begin insert Welfare and Institutions
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 4878. end insert   

end insert

(a) The board shall segregate moneys received by the
ABLE program trust into two funds, which shall be identified as
the program fund and the administrative fund.

(1) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code,
the program fund is hereby continuously appropriated, without
regard to fiscal years, to the ABLE Act Board for the purposes
specified in this act.

(2) The moneys in the administrative fund shall be available for
the ABLE Act Board, upon appropriation, for administration of
the act. Administrative costs shall not exceed 3 percent of the
incoming funds for each fiscal year for the first five fiscal years
following the opening of the first ABLE Act account. After the
five-year period, administrative costs shall not exceed 1 percent
of the incoming funds for each fiscal year.

(3) Funding for startup and administrative costs for the board
shall be provided in the form of a loan from the General Fund
sufficient to cover the board’s projected administrative costs for
its first two years of implementing the program. Once the loan has
been expended and revenues from the program are sufficient to
cover the board’s ongoing costs, the board shall repay, within five
years, the amount loaned, plus interest calculated at the rate earned
by the Pooled Money Investment Account.

(b) Not later than 30 days after the close of each month, the
investment manager shall place on file for public inspection during
business hours a report with respect to investment performance.
The investment manager shall report the following information,
to the extent applicable, to the board within 30 days following the
end of each month:

(1) The type of investment, name of the issuer, date of maturity,
and the par and dollar amount invested in each security, investment,
and money within the program fund.

(2) The weighted average maturity of the investments within
the program fund.

(3) Any amounts in the program fund that are under the
management of an investment manager.

(4) The market value as of the date of the report and the source
of this valuation for any security within the program fund.

(5) A description of the compliance with the statement of
investment policy.

(c) Moneys in the program fund may be invested or reinvested
by the Treasurer or may be invested in whole or in part under
contract with an investment manager, as determined by the board.

(d) The board shall annually prepare and adopt a written
statement of investment policy. The board shall consider the
statement of investment policy and any changes in the investment
policy at a public hearing. The board shall approve the investment
management entity or entities consistent with subdivision (c).

(e) Transfers may be made from the program fund to the
administrative fund for the purpose of paying operating costs
associated with administering the ABLE program trust and as
required by this chapter. All costs of administration of the ABLE
program trust shall be paid out of the administrative fund.

(f) All moneys paid by designated beneficiaries or eligible
individuals in connection with ABLE accounts shall be deposited
as received into the program fund, and shall be promptly invested
and accounted for separately. Deposits and interest thereon
accumulated on behalf of designated beneficiaries in the program
fund of the ABLE program trust may be used for qualified
disability expenses.

(g) The board shall maintain separate accounting for each
designated beneficiary.

(h) Any designated beneficiary may, directly or indirectly, direct
the investment of any contributions to his or her ABLE account,
or any earnings thereon, no more than two times in any calendar
year.

(i) The assets of the trust, including the program fund, shall at
all times be preserved, invested, and expended solely and only for
the purposes of the trust and shall be held in trust for the designated
beneficiaries and no property rights therein shall exist in favor of
the state. The assets shall not be transferred or used by the state
for any purposes other than the purposes of the trust and consistent
with the provisions of the federal ABLE Act.

begin delete

4879.  

(a) Under the program, a person may make contributions
for a taxable year, for the benefit of an individual who is an eligible
individual for that taxable year, to an ABLE account that is
established for the purpose of meeting the qualified disability
expenses of the designated beneficiary of the account if both of
the following criteria are met:

(1) The designated beneficiary is limited to one ABLE account
for purposes of this chapter.

(2) The ABLE account is established only for a designated
beneficiary who is a resident of this state.

(b) A contribution to any ABLE account may only be accepted
if one of the following conditions is met:

(1) The contribution is in cash.

(2) Except in the case of contributions under Section
529A(c)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the contribution
to an ABLE account would not result in aggregate contributions
from all contributors to the ABLE account for the taxable year
exceeding the amount in effect under Section 2503(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code for the calendar year in which the taxable
year begins.

(c) The designated beneficiary shall retain ownership of all
contributions made to the designated beneficiary’s ABLE account
to the date of utilization for qualified disability expenses, and all
interest derived from the investment of the contributions to the
designated beneficiary’s ABLE account shall be deemed to be held
in the ABLE program trust for the benefit of the designated
beneficiary. Neither the contributions, nor any interest derived
therefrom, may be pledged as collateral for any loan.

(d) The board shall develop adequate safeguards to prevent
aggregate contributions on behalf of a designated beneficiary in
excess of the maximum contribution limits necessary to provide
for the qualified disability expenses of the designated beneficiary.
For purposes of this subdivision, aggregate contributions include
contributions under any prior qualified ABLE program of any state
or agency or instrumentality thereof.

4880.  

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 6. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4880 is added to the end insert begin insert Welfare and Institutions
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 4880. end insert   

end insert

Notwithstanding any other law, moneys in, contributions
to, and any distribution for qualified disability expenses from, an
ABLE account, not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars
($100,000), shall not count toward determining eligibility for a
state or local means-tested program.

begin delete

4881.  

(a) The board shall provide an annual listing of
distributions to individuals with respect to an interest in an ABLE
account to the Franchise Tax Board at a time and in a manner and
form as specified by the Franchise Tax Board. The taxpayers’
identification numbers obtained in connection with an ABLE
account shall be used exclusively for state and federal tax
administration purposes.

(b) The board shall make a report to the appropriate individual
of any distribution to any individual with respect to an interest in
an ABLE account, at a time and in a form and manner as required
by the Franchise Tax Board.

(c) The board shall report annually to each designated
beneficiary all of the following:

(1) The value of the designated beneficiary’s account.

(2) The interest earned thereon.

(3) The rate of return of the investments in the designated
beneficiary’s account for that reporting period.

(4) Information on investments and qualified disability expenses
that designated beneficiaries can use to set savings goals and
contribution amounts.

(d) The board shall provide a means for designated beneficiaries
to express concerns or comments regarding the ABLE program
trust and any information required to be reported by this section.

4882.  

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 7. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4882 is added to the end insert begin insert Welfare and Institutions
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 4882. end insert   

end insert

(a) The board shall adopt regulations as it deems
necessary to implement this chapter consistent with the federal
Internal Revenue Code and regulations issued pursuant to that
code to ensure that this program meets all criteria for federal
tax-exempt benefits.

(b) The board may adopt regulations to implement this chapter
as emergency regulations in accordance with the rulemaking
provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5
(commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title
2 of the Government Code). The adoption of the regulations shall
be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general
welfare.

begin delete

4883.  

This act shall be construed liberally in order to effectuate
its legislative intent. The purposes of this act and all of its
provisions with respect to powers granted shall be broadly
interpreted to effectuate the intent and purposes of the federal
ABLE Act and not as a limitation of those powers.

end delete begin delete

4884.  

end delete

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 8. end insert   

end insert

begin insert Section 4884 is added to the end insert begin insert Welfare and Institutions
Code end insert begin insert , to read: end insert

begin insert

begin insert 4884. end insert   

end insert

The board shall market this program to residents of the
State of California to the extent funds are available to do so.

begin insert

begin insert SEC. 9. end insert   

end insert

begin insert This act shall become operative only if Senate Bill 324
of the 2015-16 Regular Session is enacted and takes effect on or
before January 1, 2016. end insert