Senate Bill 1069 and House Bill 5698

Helping people protect the local wild and scenic places they care most about.

Information for Senate Bill 1069 and House Bill 5698

A Michigan state income tax credit has been proposed for donating a conservation easement or for donating land outright. Senate Bill 1069, introduced by Senator Stamas, would create new opportunities for conservation-minded landowners, non-profits, and local units of government to work together to protect critical local green space through conservation easements, donations or bargain sales. A mirror bill has been introduced in the House by Representative Sheltrown (HB 5698). This legislation gives another option to property owners who are often interested in permanently protecting Michigan's natural resources and wildlife habitats and restricting development in their community, but are dependent on eventual income from the sale of their land.

The State Income Tax Credit for Conservation Donors would apply to qualified donations of real property and qualified donations of an interest in real property (conservation easements). Criteria for acceptance would be developed by the DNR and landowners would have to apply to the DNR to receive approval.

Please write to your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support this legislation. This legislation is very important to the health and quality of life for the people of Michigan.

Following are sample letters for your Senators and Reps:

Honorable ____________
Address

Dear Senator ____________:

As a member of the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, I endorse Senate Bill 1069 to create a state income tax credit for voluntary donations of land or rights in land (easements) and ask that you support this critical conservation legislation. The passage of this bill would serve as an important catalyst for local conservation efforts and for conservation efforts statewide.

Senate Bill 1069 would create new opportunities for conservation-minded landowners to protect critical local green space through conservation easements, donations or bargain sales. Given the rising cost of land, the growing value of conserving land in communities, and the shrinking financial ability of state and local governments to preserve beautiful open spaces, SB 1069 creates an incentive for private landowner to produce the same benefit. This legislation gives another option to property owners who are often interested in permanently protecting their natural resources and wildlife habitats and restricting development in their community, but are dependent on eventual income from the sale of their land.

I am asking you to support this legislation and encourage you and your colleagues to act on this bill soon. SB 1069 will promote private land conservation and is a positive step in maintaining Michigan’s natural heritage for future generations.

Sincerely,

Honorable ____________
Address

Dear Representative ____________:

As a member of the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, I endorse House Bill 5698 to create a state income tax credit for voluntary donations of land or rights in land (easements) and ask that you support this critical conservation legislation. The passage of this bill would serve as an important catalyst for local conservation efforts and for conservation efforts statewide.

House Bill 5698 would create new opportunities for conservation-minded landowners to protect critical local green space through conservation easements, donations or bargain sales. Given the rising cost of land, the growing value of conserving land in communities, and the shrinking financial ability of state and local governments to preserve beautiful open spaces, HB 5698 creates an incentive for private landowner to produce the same benefit. This legislation gives another option to property owners who are often interested in permanently protecting their natural resources and wildlife habitats and restricting development in their community, but are dependent on eventual income from the sale of their land.

I am asking you to support this legislation and encourage you and your colleagues to act on this bill soon. HB 5698 will promote private land conservation and is a positive step in maintaining Michigan’s natural heritage for future generations.

Sincerely,

Senate and Representative addresses:

Rep. Rick Shaffer N0993 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Robert Jones N0994 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk NO995 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Rep. Mike Nofs N0996 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Lorence Wenke N0997 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Bruce Caswell N0992 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Rep. Neal Nitz N1097 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. John M. Proos N1098 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker N1099 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Rep. Brian Calley N1191 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Rep. Fulton Sheen N1192 House Office Building P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514	Senator Patty Birkholz PO Box 30036 Lansing , MI 48909-7536
Senator Cameron Brown PO Box 30036 Lansing , MI 48909-7536	Senator Tom George PO Box 30036 Lansing , MI 48909-7536	Senator Ron Jelinek PO Box 30036 Lansing , MI 48909-7536
Senator Mark Schauer PO Box 30036 Lansing , MI 48909-7536

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