Bill > A3136

Introduced Session

This bill would provide corporation business tax credits to public utilities that develop qualified native pollinator habitat in their rights of way. Specifically, for privilege periods beginning on or after January 1 next following the effective date of this bill, a taxpayer that is a public utility that develops qualified native pollinator habitat in its rights of way, and that meets the requirements of the bill, would be allowed a credit against the corporation business tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the reasonable cost expended for developing the qualified native pollinator habitat, up to $50,000. For the purposes of this bill, qualified native pollinator habitat means an area of land developed as habitat beneficial for the feeding, nesting, and reproduction of native pollinators, such as bees, as determined by the Department of Agriculture. Qualified native pollinator habitat must utilize plants that are native to New Jersey. To qualify for the credit, a public utility would have to apply for a certification from the Secretary of Agriculture that certifies: (1) that the area developed is qualified native pollinator habitat; (2) the amount of the tax credit; and (3) that the public utility has provided any applicable agreement between the public utility and the owner of the right of way permitting development of the qualified native pollinator habitat. The application would include a description of the qualified native pollinator habitat, its precise locations, the cost for developing it, appropriate documentation of that cost, and any other information the Department of Agriculture determines relevant. When filing a tax return that includes a claim for a credit pursuant to this bill, the public utility would have to include a copy of the certification issued by the Secretary of Agriculture. Pollinators, such as bees, are extremely important to the State. Approximately one-third of all crops grown depend on pollinators for reproduction. Recently, however, the survival of many pollinators has been threatened by, among other things, habitat loss. This bill would incentivize the planting of native pollinator habitat in public utility rights of way, which often provide large, open areas that are perfect for such habitat.

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Ronald Dancer (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (on 02/08/2018)