Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Home Heating Fuels Cost Relief Act of 2008

Refundable credit for certain individuals using home heating fuels

(a)

In general

Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to refundable credits) is amended by redesignating section 36 as section 37 and by inserting after section 35 the following new section:

36.

Use of home heating fuels in homes

(a)

Allowance of credit

In the case of an eligible individual, there shall be allowed to the taxpayer as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year for heating oil, natural gas, and propane to heat the principal place of abode of the taxpayer. (b)

Limitations

(1)

Limitation based on dollar amount

The amount allowed as a credit under subsection (a) for a taxable year shall not exceed $1,000 ($2,000 in the case of a joint return). (2)

Limitation based on adjusted gross income

No amount shall be allowed as a credit under subsection (a) for a taxable year in the case of a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of a joint return). (c)

Eligible Individual

(1)

In general

For purposes of this section, the term eligible individual means any individual whose principal place of abode is in the United States. (2)

Exception

Except as provided in paragraph (3), such term shall not include any individual— (A)who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, or (B)with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowed to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins. (3)

Special rule for married individuals

In the case of persons married to each other, if one spouse is an eligible individual, the other spouse shall be treated as an eligible individual for purposes of this subsection. (d)

Denial of Double Benefit

For purposes of this section, no credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter. (e)

Termination

This section shall not apply to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2009.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting 36, after 35,. (c)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking the item relating to section 36 and inserting the following new items:

Sec. 36. Use of home heating fuels in homes.

Sec. 37. Overpayments of tax.

(d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

Grants to States to create home weatherization loan programs

(a)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program to make grants to States in accordance with this section to create revolving loan funds to provide eligible individuals with loans to purchase weatherization materials for the purpose of weatherizing the principal place of abode of the individual. (b)

Establishment of fund

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall establish a weatherization revolving loan fund (referred to in this section as the State loan fund) and comply with the other requirements of this section. Each grant to a State under this section shall be deposited in the State loan fund established by the State. (c)

Applications

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall issue requirements for applying for grants under this section. (2)

Determination of grant amounts

In determining the amount of the grant awarded to a State, the Secretary shall consider— (A)the incidence of extreme winter or summer temperatures within the State; (B)the average age of homes within the State; and (C)such other factors as the Secretary determines are appropriate. (d)

Program requirements

(1)

Use of funds

(A)

In general

Amounts deposited in a State loan fund, including loan repayments and interest earned on such amounts, shall be used only for providing loans to eligible individuals to purchase weatherization materials for the purpose of weatherizing the principal place of abode of the individual. (B)

Loan amount limitations

(i)

Individuals

Subject to clause (ii), the total amount of all loans made from the State loan fund to an eligible individual during a calendar year may not exceed $5,000. (ii)

Dwelling

The combined amount of all loans made from the State loan fund to eligible individuals living within a single dwelling during a calendar year may not exceed $10,000. (C)

Income limitation and interest rates

(i)For an eligible individual with adjusted gross income for the previous taxable year of $100,000 or less, the annual interest rate for each loan shall be 1 percent. (ii)For an eligible individual with adjusted gross income for the previous taxable year of more than $100,000 but no more than $200,000, the annual interest rate for each loan shall be 2 percent. (iii)An eligible individual making more than $200,000 is not eligible for a loan made from the State loan fund. (D)

Loan repayment

In order to receive a loan from a State loan fund, an eligible individual must enter into an agreement with the State to repay the full amount of the loan, plus interest, not more than 2 years after the date on which the individual receives the loan funds. (2)

Annual report

Each State receiving a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary detailing the use of funds from the State loan fund. (e)

Report to Congress

The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Congress detailing the distribution of grant funds, including a copy of each report submitted to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d)(2). (f)

Definitions

For purposes of this section: (1)

Eligible individual

The term eligible individual means an individual— (A)whose principal place of abode is in the United States; (B)who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; and (C)with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is not allowed to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury. (3)

Weatherization materials

The term weatherization materials means— (A) caulking and weatherstripping of doors and windows; (B) furnace efficiency modifications, including, but not limited to— (i) replacement burners, furnaces, or boilers or any combination thereof; (ii) devices for minimizing energy loss through heating system, chimney, or venting devices; and (iii) electrical or mechanical furnace ignition systems which replace standing gas pilot lights; (C) clock thermostats; (D) ceiling, attic, wall, floor, and duct insulation; (E) water heater insulation; (F) storm windows and doors, multiglazed windows and doors, heat-absorbing or heat-reflective window and door materials; (G) cooling efficiency modifications, including, but not limited to, replacement air-conditioners, ventilation equipment, screening, window films, and shading devices; (H) solar thermal water heaters; (I) wood-heating appliances; and (J) such other insulating or energy conserving devices or technologies as the Secretary may determine, after consulting with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Director of the Community Services Administration. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.