AMENDMENT #4
AMENDMENT #4: PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF PERPETUALLY PRESERVED LAND; CLASSIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF LAND — — USED FOR CONSERVATION
Reference: Article VII, sections 3, 4, and Article XII, a new section
Summary: Requires Legislature to provide a property tax exemption for real property encumbered by perpetual conservation easements or other perpetual conservation protections, defined by general law. Requires Legislature to provide for classification and assessment of land used for conservation purposes, and not perpetually encumbered, solely on the basis of character or use. Subjects assessment benefit to conditions, limitations, and reasonable definitions established by general law. Applies to property taxes beginning in 2010.
Sponsor: Florida Budget and Taxation Reform Commission
Background: Numerous provisions of federal estate and tax law favor landowners who preserve their property in its natural state. This provision would provide further tax benefits to those landowners.
PRO:
* The amendment may encourage further conservation of land in its natural state.
CON:
* Local revenue will be decreased.
* Existing policies already favor those who preserve their land.
* The amendment would not require public access to the lands to which it applies.
