[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 304 Introduced in House (IH)]







109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 304

     Expressing support for tax incentives for charitable gifts of 
                        conservation easements.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 17, 2005

 Mr. Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. Udall of Colorado, 
    Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Gerlach, and Ms. Schwartz of Pennsylvania) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
     Expressing support for tax incentives for charitable gifts of 
                        conservation easements.

Whereas the conservation of land for open space, outdoor recreation, 
        agriculture, and wildlife habitat is increasingly important to American 
        communities;
Whereas partnerships between private landowners and conservation charities are 
        an essential ingredient in such conservation;
Whereas American citizens have formed more than 1,500 local and regional 
        charities to advance this conservation work;
Whereas voluntary conservation agreements known as conservation easements enable 
        these charities to better serve their communities, partner with 
        landowners, and conserve valuable land;
Whereas section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides tax 
        incentives to landowners who make qualified donations of conservation 
        easements;
Whereas the Joint Committee on Taxation released Report JCS-2-05 on January 27, 
        2005, and proposed reducing or eliminating incentives for charitable 
        donations of conservation easements; and
Whereas the recommendations of the Committee to reduce or eliminate the 
        charitable deduction for conservation easements would severely restrict 
        private-sector conservation work by land trusts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports conservation easements as a valuable tool for 
        private sector land conservation;
            (2) supports the charitable deduction for qualified 
        conservation and historic preservation easements provided for 
        in section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
            (3) opposes the recommendations of the Joint Committee on 
        Taxation to reduce or eliminate charitable deductions for 
        conservation and facade easements.
                                 <all>