Rep. Kelly Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Improve Tax Certainty for Farmers & Families

Ways & Means Committee approves Kelly-sponsored bill to make conservation easement permanent part of nation’s tax code

Bipartisan legislation will help farmers preserve natural lands
for future generations

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee mark-up hearing for H.R. 641, the Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2015, which he introduced in the House of Representatives on February 2, 2015. The hearing featured the mark-up of seven bipartisan bills designed to improve the tax code for families, farmers, and small businesses.

Statement by Rep. Kelly:

“First, let me thank Chairman Ryan for bringing [H.R. 641] up today for consideration.

“Since this provision was first enacted in 2006, few tax bills have had the breadth and level of support this legislation has had. In the 112th Congress, this bill had more than 310 cosponsors—the majority of both parties. No substantive tax bills have had this level of support in recent history. 

“Organizations from the Farm Bureau to the Land Trust Alliance to the NRA support this legislation. Why? Because it helps farmers stay on their land, preserves open spaces for recreational enjoyment, and protects important watersheds for clean drinking water and agricultural lands to allow for locally-sourced food. 

“It's a win-win all around. 

“On Monday, I re-introduced this legislation with my colleague across the aisle, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), who has worked on this legislation for years. Senators Heller (R-NV) and Stabenow (D-MI), both serving on the Senate Finance Committee, also joined us in introducing the exact same bill on Monday in the Senate. And, coincidentally, the president's Fiscal Year 2016 budget included this proposal as well.

“It's a very rare thing in this town when both sides of the Hill, both parties, and even the president all agree on policy—and it's even rarer still when it comes to agreeing on tax policy. 

“Therefore, it’s our sincere hope that this uniquely bipartisan, bicameral legislation is finally made permanent this year so that we can collectively restore the American people’s faith in Congress’s ability to enact sound tax policy on their behalf.”

Statement by Rand Wentworth, President of the Land Trust Alliance:

“This incentive is a proven success, making conservation a real and affordable option for many farmers, ranchers and other landowners since 2006. We applaud the steps Sens. Heller and Stabenow and Reps. Kelly and Thompson took today to make permanent a law that makes possible local, landowner-drive conservation to protect important lands.”

NOTE:H.R. 641 provides a permanent enhanced tax incentive to family farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who choose not to develop their land and instead preserve their property for conservation. By providing tax benefits to landowners who choose conservation, the bill helps preserve our nation’s farmlands and open spaces for posterity.

The legislation was authored and introduced by a bipartisan coalition on February 2, 2015, including Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) in the House and Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in the U.S. Senate.

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