Reps. Pizzulli and Thomas Provide Sponsor Testimony on Bill to Require Conservation Organizations to Make Payments to Local Governments

COLUMBUS - State Representatives Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and David Thomas (R-Jefferson) today provided sponsor testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee on legislation to require payments in lieu of taxes from certain conservation organizations.

House Bill 540 will require conservation organizations that own over 15,000 acres in a single county to pay back 2.5 percent of unimproved land value to local governments. This bill will align with standards under which the Ohio Department of Natural Resources operates with state parks.

"House Bill 540 ensures that when nonprofits hold vast amounts of land, they do their part to sustain the very communities that surround and support them," said Pizzulli during sponsor testimony. "This is commonsense legislation that reconciles outdated policy."

"This is an example of a policy that has contributed to rising property tax bills as we exempt more and more land from being taxed or being added to the tax base," said Thomas. "This concept could be a step to help lower bills for taxpayers in our rural areas and ensure necessary services are provided in our communities."

The legislation was inspired by Adams County where one conservation entity owns more than 20,000 acres of land totaling nearly $10.9 million worth of unimproved property and pays nothing in property taxes.

House Bill 540 awaits further consideration from the House Ways and Means Committee.