Kansas committee hears bill to reinstate habitat tax credit, expand qualifying programs and public-access incentive

House Bill 2097 would reinstate a nongame and endangered species habitat income tax credit that previously existed in statute and add a separate property-tax-based credit for private land that provides public access for hunting, fishing or other public use.

The bill, introduced to the Committee on Taxation for hearing, would (1) revive an income tax credit that originally took effect in 1998 and was later sunset, and (2) create a second credit equal to the property taxes paid on land enrolled in a program that provides public access for hunting or fishing. The measure directs the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to post on its website a list of department programs and conservation organizations that meet standards for ecological benefit and integrity and therefore qualify for the credit. The bill also requires that applicable critical habitat be identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to qualify certain management activities.

Why it matters: proponents told the committee the bill is…