Current Legislation
Updated: December 20, 2011
Current State Legislation
Land Cap Bill Stalled
The pressure Heart of the Lakes members and conservation partners have been putting on members of the House Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee to oppose SB 248, the land cap bill, is making an impact as the bill was not taken up for a vote in committee before the legislature adjourned for the holidays. Heart of the Lakes opposes Senate Bill 248, which would artificially cap the number of acres of land owned by the public and managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Heart of the Lakes' position is thata specific cap is detrimental to the economic recovery of the state and impossible to define without a strategic public ownership plan led by the DNR with public support. The DNR’s ability to take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities to acquire high-value land and create recreational opportunities where they are most needed is critical. Heart of the Lakes and conservation partners are still working to keep this bill from moving forward. Communications with legislators to remind them that a land cap is bad policy is still needed and a good time to do so is while they are back in their districts for the holiday break.
Current Federal Legislation
Enhanced Conservation Easement Incentive
Due to the Congress’ debate over the payroll tax extension, the enhanced conservation easement incentive is likely to expire at the end of this year despite a strong, year-end push for co-sponsors. However, the easement incentive extension could be included with any number of tax bills early in 2012 and retroactively applied as has been done with previous extensions.
This means conservation easements donated in 2011 will continue to benefit from the enhanced incentive and conservation easements donated in 2012 will be treated just like other non-cash charitable donations, which are deductible up to 30% of a donor’s income for up to six years. What does expire is the enhanced incentive, which raises the maximum deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) in any year to 50%; allows qualified farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100% of their AGI; and increases the number of years over which a donor can take deductions from 6 to 16 years.
Despite the 2011 expiration, you can continue to voice support – please thank the co-sponsors of H.R. 1964 or S. 339 by contacting them via the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or thanking them in person at events over the holiday break.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
The 2012 federal budget bill, which passed both chambers of Congress and is waiting to be signed into law by President Obama, includes $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). This is the same level of funding received in the past year for GLRI and a major victory that this critical program did not receive more cuts. “The 2012 budget represents a significant victory for the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, jobs and way of life,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. Heart of the Lakes is a member of the Coalition.
Funding Increase for Land and Water Conservation Fund
President Obama is expected to sign an appropriations package for FY 2012 that includes level funding for many critical conservation programs and an increase of $21.9 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Thanks to those of you who joined Heart of the Lakes in signing on to letters in support of funding for this important program.
In addition, the Forest Legacy Program will increase slightly to $53.4 million, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and State Wildlife Grants, which had been proposed for elimination, saw only small cuts.
Click here to read more about Heart of the Lakes' Policy Positions
Current Policy Update
Archived Policy Updates
December 2011 Policy Update
November 2011 Policy Update
