In The Spotlight at the NM Roundhouse.

HB163: Unimproved Land Property Tax Valuation sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry, Rep. Bobby Gonzales, Sen. Peter Wirth and Sen. Steve Neville creates a new conservation schedule. For property taxation purposes, unimproved land used primarily to conserve the land under a qualified conservation management plan shall be valued at five percent of its current and correct value. Eligibility for this method of valuation is limited to unimproved land (1) valued in the previous year as agricultural land but which is no longer eligible for that status and (2) is either greater than 10 acres or, if less, has water rights for agricultural purposes. NMF&LB opposes this bill as a top priority. HB163 has been scheduled in House Local Government, Elections, Land Grants & Cultural Affairs Committee for tomorrow (Thursday), February 1, 2017 at 1:30 pm in capitol room 315. Here is the committee contact information: Miguel Garcia Dem Chairman 505.986.4844 miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov Daymon Ely Dem Vice Chair 505.986.4336 daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov David Adkins Rep Member 505.986.4467 david.adkins@nmlegis.gov Zachary Cook Rep Member 505.986.4233 zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov Doreen Gallegos Dem Member 505.986.4780 doreen.gallegos@nmlegis.gov Nate Gentry Rep Member 505.986.4757 natefornm@gmail.com Debbie Rodella Dem Member 505.986.4329 debbie.rodella@nmlegis.gov The easiest way to engage legislators is one of three ways: by telephone, by email or public testimony during a committee meeting. TELEPHONE OPTION: If you call, you will most likely not be able to speak to the legislator, however LEAVE A MESSAGE with their secretary and say: “Please tell Representative _________ that House Bill 163: Unimproved Land Property Tax Valuation sponsored by Rep. M. Garcia is BAD for New Mexico Agriculture; please vote NO on HB163.” EMAIL OPTION: If you prefer to email legislators, their email addresses are provided above. Here are some talking points you can include in your email should you so choose. You are encouraged to call and email all legislators on the committee if your time permits. HB163 Talking Points • This bill is trying to rectify a problem that exists in one or two counties. This problem should be handled through a local option. We should not be changing the whole property tax code to solve the problems of a few counties. • This type of legislation leads us further away from fair and equitable assessments. HB163 will open a tax loophole that will transfer the tax burden on to other taxpayers and impact students. What will this legislation do to the bonding capacity for school districts and others? • It has been misrepresented that if the owners do not have “agricultural production” then the assessor’s office is putting the value at development land values. This is incorrect, the land would be valued at the market value for vacant land in that area. • Current tax law already allows for agriculture and conservation; if the purpose of this proposed bill is truly “conservation,” then this legislation is unnecessary! Large acreages for conservation and nonagricultural use hurts the counties (tax income and economic activity) and benefits land and water speculators. • Taking land out of agriculture will reduce economic activity and the multiplier effect within the county and could be substantial. A maximum acreage (cap) must be part of the bill to ensure minimal impact to county budgets and avoid budget shortfalls. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Finally, nothing is more impactful than YOUR public testimony in committee. We always encourage our members to come to Santa Fe and join us as we engage the legislature. If you would like to appear in person to testify, contact NMF&LB Government Affairs Matthew Gonzales (mattg@nmflb.org) so he can prep you (if need be) or just show up to the committee at the time and date listed above and Matt will ensure you’re ready. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our offices. Thank you for your time and effort on this legislation!