Date:
2/11/2010 12:00:00 AM
Title:
Information on HB-1293
HB-1293 Creation of a Task Force to Determine Bona Fide
Agriculture Use For Reasons of Property Taxation
Bill Sponsors: Representative Massey
CCA Position: OPPOSE
House Bill 1293 is a perfect example of a legislatively-motivated task force that will determine what is best for the entire agricultural industry as they deliberate and seek to conclude what “bona fide agriculture” is for the purposes of taxation. In other words, the proponents of the bill were hasty in its introduction and did not broach the concept of legislation with anyone from the agriculture community.
Previous to promoting legislation, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association has always had an open door policy of discussing issues with those who will be affected. This method would yield solutions to the bill’s proponents rather than the confusion and likely harmful legislation HB-1293’s approach will most likely yield.
· The task force approach of HB-1293 seeks to determine, for agriculture property taxation, how to define agriculture lands and who can participate in agriculture. Additionally, the task force is allowed to propose up to five pieces of individual legislation.
· The legislature has already sought to increase taxes on agriculture this session in the areas of agriculture compounds, bull semen and pesticides – We are certain they will do the same with property taxes.
· HB-1293 is very prescriptive and makes arbitrary assertions about how agriculture lands are currently being taxed. Additionally, the bill begins to make statements about whom and what lands should and should not qualify.
· Agriculture and Colorado counties should work together to address any problems with agriculture property taxation, not expect the legislature to discuss and disseminate what will and will not be equitable.
· As designed, HB-1293 could have the following outcomes:
§ Increase in taxation for agriculture lands
§ Removal of lands that qualify for agriculture taxation and subsequent use for agriculture
§ Increase in agriculture land conversion to development
§ Effectively put agriculture producers out of business due to high property taxation
CCA questions why there was no dialogue related to this bill being drafted. On the surface, this seems to be an ineffective way of making mutually-beneficial enhancements to the law, not to mention lacking in the development of trust-based dialogue around the issue.
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association urges a NO VOTE on HB-1293
and encourages a non-legislative dialogue that will yield enhancements
to agriculture property taxation procedures if they are needed.
For more information please contact:
Terry Fankhauser, EVP Colorado Cattlemen’s Association at (303) 431-6422