(a) The port credit provided for in Section 40-18-403 is created by this article and is allowed upon strict compliance with the provisions herein.

(b) Prior to the allowance of the port credit, an application shall be filed with the commission, on a form promulgated by the commission.

(1) The application shall be filed by the port facility user desiring to claim the credit.

(2) The commission shall establish deadlines for applications. Such applications shall solicit whatever information the commission deems important to its determination of whether granting a port credit will create new, high paying jobs in the state, bring substantial capital to the state, increase the usage of a port facility, promote the development of clusters of businesses in the state, or promote the economic development efforts of the state.

(3) Upon review of the applications, the commission may approve such applications as shall result in port credits being awarded so as not to exceed twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) for the life of the program, and shall not exceed five million dollars ($5,000,000) in a fiscal year.

(4) The commission shall charge application fees to offset the costs of administration of this article.

(c) Prior to claiming a port credit, the company shall submit to the Department of Commerce a certification containing information adequate to prove that the company is entitled to the credit. Following such examination as it deems necessary, the Department of Commerce may certify the information and deliver the same to the Department of Revenue. Thereafter, the Department of Revenue shall allow the tax credit.

(d)(1) Nothing in this article shall be construed to constitute a guarantee or assumption by the state of any debt of any company nor to authorize the credit of the state to be given, pledged, or loaned to any company.

(2) Nothing in this article shall be construed to make available to any company any right to the benefits conferred by this article absent strict compliance with this article.

(3) Nothing in this article shall be construed to change or lessen the requirements for claiming jobs act incentives under the Alabama Jobs Act, Section 40-18-370, et seq. Companies claiming the jobs act incentives must strictly comply with the Alabama Jobs Act.

(4) All filings made by a private party with the commission or any department of state government shall be made using forms adopted by the commission or department. Any such filing shall be treated as a tax return, subject to penalties imposed by the Department of Revenue.

(5) Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the powers otherwise existing for the Department of Revenue to audit and assess any company claiming a port credit.