You asked for a summary of bills the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee favorably reported to the Finance Committee.

HB 5368, AAC PRIVATE OCCUPATIONAL SCHOOL TEXTBOOK TAX EXEMPTIONS

The bill exempts from the sales tax purchases by private occupational school students of textbooks and related workbooks required or recommended for courses at these schools. The exemption currently applies to sales of textbooks and workbooks to college students.

Effective July 1, 2005.

HB 5370, AAC ELIGIBILITY FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING TAX CREDIT

The bill extends the $ 1,000 per year corporate tax credit for apprenticeship training programs to those run solely by the business employing the apprentice. Currently, the credit is available only for apprentices in programs that are jointly administered by a labor union and an employer.

sSB 1242, AAC CONNECTICUT’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

The bill authorizes $ 10 million in bonds to the Office of Workforce Competitiveness for various grants to colleges and universities for faculty and student research, laboratory facilities, curriculum development, and career development in workforce shortage areas. Another set of grants can go to colleges and business collaborations to develop shared laboratories, commercialize academic research, facilitate technology transfer, and undertake joint projects.

Effective July 1, 2005, with the priority system for awarding grants effective on passage.

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