MACo Associate Director, Natasha Mehu, provided written testimony in support of House Bill 1483, “Income Tax Credit – Eligible Employers – Eligible Internships,” to the House Ways and Means Committee on March 1, 2017.

HB 1483 creates a program that allows businesses to receive a credit against the state income tax for employing eligible interns enrolled in public and private nonprofit higher education institutions in the state. In turn, the interns receive valuable and paid experience in a field that interests them. Counties appreciate that this bill offers a state-funded tax benefit, without a “spillover” residual effect on county revenues and services.

MACo’s testimony states,

Internships supplement classroom experience by providing students exposure to real-world problems, increasing their marketability to employers, offering opportunities for advancement within organizations, and other professional growth opportunities. Employers benefit from the well qualified pool of potential employees the internships create.

Montgomery County Council Member Craig Rice testified on behalf of MACo in support of this bill. The cross-file to the bill, SB 522, was heard by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on February 21, 2017.

Useful Links

Conduit Street coverage of SB 522

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2017 legislative session here.