1. (1)

   1. (a) A refiner that seeks to be eligible for a sales and use tax exemption under Subsection 59-12-104(86) on or after July 1, 2021, shall annually report to the office whether the refiner's facility that is located within the state:

      1. (i) had an average gasoline sulfur level of 10 parts per million (ppm) or less using the formulas prescribed in 40 C.F.R. Sec. 80.1603, excluding the offset for credit use and transfer as prescribed in 40 C.F.R. Sec. 80.1616, during the previous calendar year; or
      2. (ii) for an annual report covering a period before January 1, 2023, if a refiner's facility did not have an average gasoline sulfur level described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) during the previous calendar year, the progress the refiner made during the previous calendar year toward complying with the average gasoline sulfur level described in Subsection (1)(a)(i).
   2. (b) Fuels for which a final destination outside Utah can be demonstrated or that are not subject to the standards and requirements of 40 C.F.R. Sec. 80.1603 as specified in 40 C.F.R. Sec. 80.1601 are not subject to the reporting provisions under Subsection (1)(a).

2. (2) The office shall issue a refiner tax exemption certification to a refiner on a form prescribed by the State Tax Commission:

   1. (a) beginning July 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2022, if:

      1. (i) the refiner's refinery that is located within the state had an average gasoline sulfur level described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) during the previous calendar year; or

      2. (ii)

         1. (A) on or before July 1, 2021, the refiner certifies in writing to the office that the refiner's refinery that is located within the state will have an average gasoline sulfur level described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) after December 31, 2024; and
         2. (B) the office determines that the refiner made satisfactory progress during the previous calendar year toward satisfying the refiner's certification described in Subsection (2)(a)(ii)(A); or
   2. (b) after December 31, 2022, if the refiner's refinery that is located within the state had an average gasoline sulfur level described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) during the previous calendar year.

3. (3)

   1. (a) Within 30 days after the day on which the office receives a complete annual report described in Subsection (1)(a), the office shall:

      1. (i) issue a refiner tax exemption certification to the refiner; or
      2. (ii) notify the refiner in writing that the office has determined the refiner does not qualify for a refiner tax exemption certification and the basis for the office's determination.
   2. (b) A refiner tax exemption certification is valid for one year after the day on which the office issues the refiner tax exemption certification.

4. (4) The office:

   1. (a) shall accept a copy of a report submitted by a refiner to the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 C.F.R. Sec. 80.1652 as sufficient evidence of the refiner's average gasoline sulfur level; or
   2. (b) may establish another reporting mechanism through rules made under Subsection (5).
5. (5) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the office may make rules to implement this section.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session