Credit for capital resources provided to institutions of higher education for electronic commerce studies or work force development programs

(a) The chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities may select a direct payment permit holder, as described in section 12-409a, for a pilot program in accordance with the provisions of this section. (b) There shall be allowed a credit to such direct payment permit holder in an amount equal to the amount of a qualified investment, as defined in subsection (c) of this section, that is made on or after July 1, 2000, against the use tax liability that is incurred under this chapter by such holder in making purchases on or after July 1, 2000, of computer equipment to be used in this state in electronic commerce. The total amount of such credits allowed under this section shall not exceed four million dollars in the aggregate. No credit shall be allowed under this section unless the chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities certifies, in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner of Revenue Services, that a qualified investment has been made by the direct payment permit holder and that projects related to such investment have been completed. The Commissioner of Revenue Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which prescribe the procedures for the direct payment permit holder to claim the credit allowed under this section. (c) For purposes of this section, “qualified investment” means resources, including, but not limited to, cash, property or services provided by a direct payment permit holder to a public or private college or university in this state, for the design, planning, construction or renovation of buildings or classrooms, the acquisition of computer equipment or the acquisition of other property or licenses necessary for operation of computer programs which will be used in the instruction of students in business studies related to electronic commerce or in work force development programs.