April 28, 2009

Horse boarding tax exemption signed into law

A piece of legislation that will extend the open space tax exemption for horse boarders was signed into law today.

Reps. Bill Hinkle and Judy Warnick were pleased to know the measure was signed into law. The 13th District legislators had sponsored a similar measure earlier this session, with greater expansion for the agriculture industry than what passed the Legislature.

The measure sponsored by Hinkle and Warnick on January 15 was House Bill 1232, which would have included property tax exemptions for farming practices and activities related to the raising, harvesting, feeding, breeding, managing, selling, care, or training of a farm product.

"Whether you breed or feed livestock, you need to preserve open space for the animals," Hinkle said. "This was a common-sense measure that expanded agricultural tax breaks to preserve open space and help our farmers, and boarders, be viable."

The bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law today is House Bill 1733, introduced January 28. The measure would extend property tax exemptions to equestrian activities only, and would excuse others from back taxes who may have thought they received an open space exemption.

"We heard from many constituents who had received notices of back due property taxes, when all along they thought they were exempt under open space laws," Warnick said. "This legislation is important to them, and we're happy to see part of our original bill be signed into law."

House Bill 1733 goes into effect 90 days from April 26, the last day of session.

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