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                                                       PRINTER'S NO. 313

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 306 Session of 1999


        INTRODUCED BY CURRY, MICOZZIE, McNAUGHTON, B. SMITH, YOUNGBLOOD,
           DeLUCA, LEVDANSKY, FLICK, CAWLEY, MELIO, VAN HORNE, CORRIGAN,
           RUBLEY, HASAY, FREEMAN, C. WILLIAMS, PETRARCA, READSHAW,
           ROONEY, LEDERER, COY, LAUGHLIN, ROHRER, WOGAN, SANTONI,
           GORDNER, HERMAN, CLARK, M. COHEN, SEYFERT, BROWNE, COLAFELLA,
           STERN, STABACK, E. Z. TAYLOR, ROSS, TRELLO, WILT, SHANER,
           FORCIER, L. I. COHEN, ADOLPH AND SAYLOR, FEBRUARY 3, 1999

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, FEBRUARY 3, 1999

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An
     2     act relating to tax reform and State taxation by codifying
     3     and enumerating certain subjects of taxation and imposing
     4     taxes thereon; providing procedures for the payment,
     5     collection, administration and enforcement thereof; providing
     6     for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers and
     7     imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain
     8     employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations
     9     and other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and
    10     penalties," repealing certain provisions imposing sales and
    11     use tax on lawn care services.

    12     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    13  hereby enacts as follows:
    14     Section 1.  Section 201(k), (o) and (jj) of the act of March
    15  4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971,
    16  amended or added August 4, 1991 (P.L.97, No.22), May 7, 1997
    17  (P.L.85, No.7) and April 23, 1998 (P.L.239, No.45), are amended
    18  to read:
    19     Section 201.  Definitions.--The following words, terms and
    20  phrases when used in this Article II shall have the meaning

     1  ascribed to them in this section, except where the context
     2  clearly indicates a different meaning:
     3     * * *
     4     (k)  "Sale at retail."
     5     (1)  Any transfer, for a consideration, of the ownership,
     6  custody or possession of tangible personal property, including
     7  the grant of a license to use or consume whether such transfer
     8  be absolute or conditional and by whatsoever means the same
     9  shall have been effected.
    10     (2)  The rendition of the service of printing or imprinting
    11  of tangible personal property for a consideration for persons
    12  who furnish, either directly or indirectly the materials used in
    13  the printing or imprinting.
    14     (3)  The rendition for a consideration of the service of--
    15     (i)  Washing, cleaning, waxing, polishing or lubricating of
    16  motor vehicles of another, whether or not any tangible personal
    17  property is transferred in conjunction therewith; and
    18     (ii)  Inspecting motor vehicles pursuant to the mandatory
    19  requirements of "The Vehicle Code."
    20     (4)  The rendition for a consideration of the service of
    21  repairing, altering, mending, pressing, fitting, dyeing,
    22  laundering, drycleaning or cleaning tangible personal property
    23  other than wearing apparel or shoes, or applying or installing
    24  tangible personal property as a repair or replacement part of
    25  other tangible personal property except wearing apparel or shoes
    26  for a consideration, whether or not the services are performed
    27  directly or by any means other than by coin-operated self-
    28  service laundry equipment for wearing apparel or household goods
    29  and whether or not any tangible personal property is transferred
    30  in conjunction therewith, except such services as are rendered
    19990H0306B0313                  - 2 -

     1  in the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, repair or
     2  maintenance of real estate: Provided, however, That this
     3  subclause shall not be deemed to impose tax upon such services
     4  in the preparation for sale of new items which are excluded from
     5  the tax under clause (26) of section 204, or upon diaper
     6  service.
     7     (8)  Any retention of possession, custody or a license to use
     8  or consume tangible personal property or any further obtaining
     9  of services described in subclauses (2), (3) and (4) of this
    10  clause pursuant to a rental or service contract or other
    11  arrangement (other than as security).
    12     The term "sale at retail" shall not include (i) any such
    13  transfer of tangible personal property or rendition of services
    14  for the purpose of resale, or (ii) such rendition of services or
    15  the transfer of tangible personal property including, but not
    16  limited to, machinery and equipment and parts therefor and
    17  supplies to be used or consumed by the purchaser directly in the
    18  operations of--
    19     (A)  The manufacture of tangible personal property.
    20     (B)  Farming, dairying, agriculture, horticulture or
    21  floriculture when engaged in as a business enterprise. The term
    22  "farming" shall include the propagation and raising of ranch
    23  raised fur-bearing animals and the propagation of game birds for
    24  commercial purposes by holders of propagation permits issued
    25  under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) and the propagation and
    26  raising of horses to be used exclusively for commercial racing
    27  activities.
    28     (C)  The producing, delivering or rendering of a public
    29  utility service, or in constructing, reconstructing, remodeling,
    30  repairing or maintaining the facilities which are directly used
    19990H0306B0313                  - 3 -

     1  in producing, delivering or rendering such service.
     2     (D)  Processing as defined in clause (d) of this section.
     3     The exclusions provided in paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D)
     4  shall not apply to any vehicle required to be registered under
     5  The Vehicle Code, except those vehicles used directly by a
     6  public utility engaged in business as a common carrier; to
     7  maintenance facilities; or to materials, supplies or equipment
     8  to be used or consumed in the construction, reconstruction,
     9  remodeling, repair or maintenance of real estate other than
    10  directly used machinery, equipment, parts or foundations
    11  therefor that may be affixed to such real estate.
    12     The exclusions provided in paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D)
    13  shall not apply to tangible personal property or services to be
    14  used or consumed in managerial sales or other nonoperational
    15  activities, nor to the purchase or use of tangible personal
    16  property or services by any person other than the person
    17  directly using the same in the operations described in
    18  paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D) herein.
    19     The exclusion provided in paragraph (C) shall not apply to
    20  (i) construction materials, supplies or equipment used to
    21  construct, reconstruct, remodel, repair or maintain facilities
    22  not used directly by the purchaser in the production, delivering
    23  or rendition of public utility service, (ii) construction
    24  materials, supplies or equipment used to construct, reconstruct,
    25  remodel, repair or maintain a building, road or similar
    26  structure, or (iii) tools and equipment used but not installed
    27  in the maintenance of facilities used directly in the
    28  production, delivering or rendition of a public utility service.
    29     The exclusions provided in paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D)
    30  shall not apply to the services enumerated in clauses (k)(11)
    19990H0306B0313                  - 4 -

     1  through (18) and (w) through (kk), except that the exclusion
     2  provided in this subclause for farming, dairying and agriculture
     3  shall apply to the service enumerated in clause (z).
     4     (9)  Where tangible personal property or services are
     5  utilized for purposes constituting a "sale at retail" and for
     6  purposes excluded from the definition of "sale at retail," it
     7  shall be presumed that such tangible personal property or
     8  services are utilized for purposes constituting a "sale at
     9  retail" and subject to tax unless the user thereof proves to the
    10  department that the predominant purposes for which such tangible
    11  personal property or services are utilized do not constitute a
    12  "sale at retail."
    13     (10)  The term "sale at retail" with respect to "liquor" and
    14  "malt or brewed beverages" shall include the sale of "liquor" by
    15  any "Pennsylvania liquor store" to any person for any purpose,
    16  and the sale of "malt or brewed beverages" by a "manufacturer of
    17  malt or brewed beverages," "distributor" or "importing
    18  distributor" to any person for any purpose, except sales by a
    19  "manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages" to a "distributor" or
    20  "importing distributor" or sales by an "importing distributor"
    21  to a "distributor" within the meaning of the "Liquor Code." The
    22  term "sale at retail" shall not include any sale of "malt or
    23  brewed beverages" by a "retail dispenser" or any sale of
    24  "liquor" or "malt or brewed beverages" by a person holding a
    25  "retail liquor license" within the meaning of and pursuant to
    26  the provisions of the "Liquor Code," but shall include any sale
    27  of "liquor" or "malt or brewed beverages" other than pursuant to
    28  the provisions of the "Liquor Code."
    29     (11)  The rendition for a consideration of lobbying services.
    30     (12)  The rendition for a consideration of adjustment
    19990H0306B0313                  - 5 -

     1  services, collection services or credit reporting services.
     2     (13)  The rendition for a consideration of secretarial or
     3  editing services.
     4     (14)  The rendition for a consideration of disinfecting or
     5  pest control services, building maintenance or cleaning
     6  services.
     7     (15)  The rendition for a consideration of employment agency
     8  services or help supply services.
     9     [(17)  The rendition for a consideration of lawn care
    10  service.]
    11     (18)  The rendition for a consideration of self-storage
    12  service.
    13     * * *
    14     (o)  "Use."
    15     (1)  The exercise of any right or power incidental to the
    16  ownership, custody or possession of tangible personal property
    17  and shall include, but not be limited to transportation, storage
    18  or consumption.
    19     (2)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the service of printing
    20  or imprinting of tangible personal property when such purchaser
    21  furnishes, either directly or indirectly, the articles used in
    22  the printing or imprinting.
    23     (3)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the services of (i)
    24  washing, cleaning, waxing, polishing or lubricating of motor
    25  vehicles whether or not any tangible personal property is
    26  transferred to the purchaser in conjunction with such services,
    27  and (ii) inspecting motor vehicles pursuant to the mandatory
    28  requirements of "The Vehicle Code."
    29     (4)  The obtaining by a purchaser of the service of
    30  repairing, altering, mending, pressing, fitting, dyeing,
    19990H0306B0313                  - 6 -

     1  laundering, drycleaning or cleaning tangible personal property
     2  other than wearing apparel or shoes or applying or installing
     3  tangible personal property as a repair or replacement part of
     4  other tangible personal property other than wearing apparel or
     5  shoes, whether or not the services are performed directly or by
     6  any means other than by means of coin-operated self-service
     7  laundry equipment for wearing apparel or household goods, and
     8  whether or not any tangible personal property is transferred to
     9  the purchaser in conjunction therewith, except such services as
    10  are obtained in the construction, reconstruction, remodeling,
    11  repair or maintenance of real estate: Provided, however, That
    12  this subclause shall not be deemed to impose tax upon such
    13  services in the preparation for sale of new items which are
    14  excluded from the tax under clause (26) of section 204, or upon
    15  diaper service: And provided further, That the term "use" shall
    16  not include--
    17     (A)  Any tangible personal property acquired and kept,
    18  retained or over which power is exercised within this
    19  Commonwealth on which the taxing of the storage, use or other
    20  consumption thereof is expressly prohibited by the Constitution
    21  of the United States or which is excluded from tax under other
    22  provisions of this article.
    23     (B)  The use or consumption of tangible personal property,
    24  including but not limited to machinery and equipment and parts
    25  therefor, and supplies or the obtaining of the services
    26  described in subclauses (2), (3) and (4) of this clause directly
    27  in the operations of--
    28     (i)  The manufacture of tangible personal property.
    29     (ii)  Farming, dairying, agriculture, horticulture or
    30  floriculture when engaged in as a business enterprise. The term
    19990H0306B0313                  - 7 -

     1  "farming" shall include the propagation and raising of ranch-
     2  raised furbearing animals and the propagation of game birds for
     3  commercial purposes by holders of propagation permits issued
     4  under 34 Pa.C.S. (relating to game) and the propagation and
     5  raising of horses to be used exclusively for commercial racing
     6  activities.
     7     (iii)  The producing, delivering or rendering of a public
     8  utility service, or in constructing, reconstructing, remodeling,
     9  repairing or maintaining the facilities which are directly used
    10  in producing, delivering or rendering such service.
    11     (iv)  Processing as defined in subclause (d) of this section.
    12     The exclusions provided in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and
    13  (iv) shall not apply to any vehicle required to be registered
    14  under The Vehicle Code except those vehicles directly used by a
    15  public utility engaged in the business as a common carrier; to
    16  maintenance facilities; or to materials, supplies or equipment
    17  to be used or consumed in the construction, reconstruction,
    18  remodeling, repair or maintenance of real estate other than
    19  directly used machinery, equipment, parts or foundations
    20  therefor that may be affixed to such real estate. The exclusions
    21  provided in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall not
    22  apply to tangible personal property or services to be used or
    23  consumed in managerial sales or other nonoperational activities,
    24  nor to the purchase or use of tangible personal property or
    25  services by any person other than the person directly using the
    26  same in the operations described in subparagraphs (i), (ii),
    27  (iii) and (iv).
    28     The exclusion provided in subparagraph (iii) shall not apply
    29  to (A) construction materials, supplies or equipment used to
    30  construct, reconstruct, remodel, repair or maintain facilities
    19990H0306B0313                  - 8 -

     1  not used directly by the purchaser in the production, delivering
     2  or rendition of public utility service or (B) tools and
     3  equipment used but not installed in the maintenance of
     4  facilities used directly in the production, delivering or
     5  rendition of a public utility service.
     6     The exclusion provided in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and
     7  (iv) shall not apply to the services enumerated in clauses
     8  (o)(9) through (16) and (w) through (kk), except that the
     9  exclusion provided in subparagraph (ii) for farming, dairying
    10  and agriculture shall apply to the service enumerated in clause
    11  (z).
    12     (5)  Where tangible personal property or services are
    13  utilized for purposes constituting a "use," as herein defined,
    14  and for purposes excluded from the definition of "use," it shall
    15  be presumed that such property or services are utilized for
    16  purposes constituting a "sale at retail" and subject to tax
    17  unless the user thereof proves to the department that the
    18  predominant purposes for which such property or services are
    19  utilized do not constitute a "sale at retail."
    20     (6)  The term "use" with respect to "liquor" and "malt or
    21  brewed beverages" shall include the purchase of "liquor" from
    22  any "Pennsylvania liquor store" by any person for any purpose
    23  and the purchase of "malt or brewed beverages" from a
    24  "manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages," "distributor" or
    25  "importing distributor" by any person for any purpose, except
    26  purchases from a "manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages" by a
    27  "distributor" or "importing distributor," or purchases from an
    28  "importing distributor" by a "distributor" within the meaning of
    29  the "Liquor Code." The term "use" shall not include any purchase
    30  of "malt or brewed beverages" from a "retail dispenser" or any
    19990H0306B0313                  - 9 -

     1  purchase of "liquor" or "malt or brewed beverages" from a person
     2  holding a "retail liquor license" within the meaning of and
     3  pursuant to the provisions of the "Liquor Code," but shall
     4  include the exercise of any right or power incidental to the
     5  ownership, custody or possession of "liquor" or "malt or brewed
     6  beverages" obtained by the person exercising such right or power
     7  in any manner other than pursuant to the provisions of the
     8  "Liquor Code."
     9     (7)  The use of tangible personal property purchased at
    10  retail upon which the services described in subclauses (2), (3)
    11  and (4) of this clause have been performed shall be deemed to be
    12  a use of said services by the person using said property.
    13     (8)  The term "use" shall not include the providing of a
    14  motor vehicle to a nonprofit private or public school to be used
    15  by such a school for the sole purpose of driver education.
    16     (9)  The obtaining by the purchaser of lobbying services.
    17     (10)  The obtaining by the purchaser of adjustment services,
    18  collection services or credit reporting services.
    19     (11)  The obtaining by the purchaser of secretarial or
    20  editing services.
    21     (12)  The obtaining by the purchaser of disinfecting or pest
    22  control services, building maintenance or cleaning services.
    23     (13)  The obtaining by the purchaser of employment agency
    24  services or help supply services.
    25     [(15)  The obtaining by the purchaser of lawn care service.]
    26     (16)  The obtaining by the purchaser of self-storage service.
    27     (17)  The obtaining by a construction contractor of tangible
    28  personal property or services provided to tangible personal
    29  property which will be used pursuant to a construction contract
    30  whether or not the tangible personal property or services are
    19990H0306B0313                 - 10 -

     1  transferred.
     2     * * *
     3     [(jj)  "Lawn care service."  Providing services for lawn
     4  upkeep, including, but not limited to, fertilizing, lawn mowing,
     5  shrubbery trimming or other lawn treatment services.]
     6     * * *
     7     Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.
















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