Bill > S00031

This bill establishes a forestry stewardship and habitat conservation credit for personal income and business franchise taxes. Specifically, it allows a credit for 25% of the real property taxes paid on land that is subject to an agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation for forestry stewardship or habitat conservation, up to $10,000 per year. The bill creates a New York State forestry stewardship and habitat conservation program to provide forested lands and conserve the value of land as wildlife, fish, shellfish, or crustacea habitat. Landowners can apply to have their eligible tracts of at least 25 contiguous acres included in the program, and the Department may enter into agreements with them for a minimum of 5 years to manage the land for forestry stewardship, habitat conservation, or both.