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S 790 114th Congress Senate

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2015

Official title: A bill to provide for the establishment of free market enterprise zones in order to help facilitate the creation of new jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, en… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to provide for the establishment of free market enterprise zones in order to help facilitate the creation of new jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, enhanced and renewed educational opportunities, and increase community involvement in bankrupt or economically distressed areas.

Introduced: March 18, 2015 Introduced by: Paul, Rand Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Economics and Public Finance Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAir qualityBankruptcyBuilding construction
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Business investment and capitalCapital gains taxCharitable contributionsCorporate finance and managementCredit and credit marketsEconomic developmentEconomic performance and conditionsEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployment taxesEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental regulatory proceduresForeign labor
This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 18, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mar 18, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action March 18, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2015

Prohibits federal assistance (e.g., loans, loan guarantees, or purchases) from being provided to: (1) a municipality or a zip code (eligible entity), other than an entity that is designated an Economic Free Zone by this Act; (2) a municipality that is a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding; or (3) a municipality that is insolvent.

Sets forth requirements for the designation of an eligible entity that is a municipality as an Economic Freedom Zone for a 10-year period, including bankruptcy eligibility, insolvency, or pervasive poverty, unemployment, and general distress.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for investment in an Economic Freedom Zone, including; (1) a 5% flat tax rate on the taxable income of individuals and corporations, (2) a 0% capital gains tax rate for gain from the sale or exchange of Economic Freedom Zone assets or real property, (3) reduced employment tax rates, and (4) an increase in the expensing allowance for business property in an Economic Freedom Zone.

Exempts an area designated as an Economic Freedom Zone from: (1) compliance with specified environmental regulations, (2) requirements applicable to a National Heritage Area, and (3) wage rate requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax credit, up to $5,000 in a taxable year for the elementary and secondary education expenses of a student attending a public, private, or religious school whose principal residence is located in an Economic Freedom Zone; (2) a tax-exempt Economic Freedom Zone educational savings account for individuals whose principal residence is located in an Economic Freedom Zone; and (3) a tax credit, in lieu of a tax deduction, for contributions to a charitable organization serving individuals in an Economic Freedom Zone.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow a special allocation of grant funds under such Act for the benefit of children from families residing in an Economic Freedom Zone whose incomes are below the federal poverty level.

Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the Secretary of Labor, to issue Special Economic Freedom Zone Visas to aliens meeting certain educational and skill requirements who intend to enter the United States to invest in an Economic Freedom Zone.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that state and local governments should review and adopt specified policy recommendations relating to pension reform, tax reduction, adoption of school choice options, adoption of right-to-work laws, streamlining the regulatory burden, and reducing or fixing abandoned structures.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 790: Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-790/
MLA
"S. 790: Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-790/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 790, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-790/.
Markdown link
[S. 790: Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-790/)
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