Jul. 13, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rural communities across Pennsylvania would be more fairly compensated for state-owned forest lands under legislation now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
Under House Bill 1605, the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) on state-owned forest lands would increase from $3.60 per acre to $6 per acre. The PILT is divided equally among the municipalities, school districts and counties in which the land is located.
“It’s been a decade since the PILT was last adjusted, and I am pleased this increase will finally bring about some much-needed tax fairness for our rural communities and the taxpayers who live here,” Causer said.
The 67th Legislative District is home to thousands of acres of state-owned lands, all of which are tax exempt, and that has placed a significant strain on local government and school district budgets.
“This increase in the PILT is good news for taxpayers throughout our region,” he added.
Causer has long been a leader in the effort to boost PILT payments. He is the prime sponsor of
House Bill 344, introduced earlier this session, which also would increase PILT payments to $6 per acre. He also sponsored the legislation that led to the last PILT adjustment in 2006, when the rate increased from $1.20 per acre to the current $3.60 per acre. Causer has worked closely with Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Brockway) and the Pennsylvania Land Tax Fairness Coalition to advance this legislation.
The PILT increase would apply only to Department of Conservation and Natural Resources forest land. The PILT for lands owned by the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission will remain at $3.60 per acre.
The measure will take effect on July 1, 2017.
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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