REFERENCE TITLE: conservation easements; economic impact

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018

SCM 1011

Introduced by Senator Griffin

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

urging the United States Congress to consider the effects of federal agencies' use of CONSERVATION easements.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

To the Congress of the United States of America:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, conservation easements are increasingly being used by governmental entities and private organizations to limit the uses of privately or publicly owned property; and

Whereas, when a conservation easement is placed on private property, the value of the property may be reduced, which will result in the loss of tax revenues paid to the county in which the property is located; and

Whereas, the reduction in the tax base of the county may have serious long-term consequences for the economic health of the county; and

Whereas, property owners in that county may be forced to absorb that county's loss of revenues and as a result pay higher taxes on their own properties.

Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:

1.  That the United States Congress consider the adverse effects of the various federal agencies' use of conservation easements, including the loss of revenues to the local economy and the increased tax burden on remaining property owners.

2.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United State Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.