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Nature Conservancy warns Ohio bill targeting large landowners could harm conservation and overstates revenue estimates
Summary
The Nature Conservancy opposed House Bill 540 before the House Ways and Means Committee, arguing the bill misstates its landholdings and potential tax liability, that much of its land would qualify for CAUV (agricultural/woodland) valuation at low per‑acre tax rates, and that state-level legislative targeting of nonprofits risks adverse consequences for donor‑restricted funds and conservation work.
Bill Stanley, Ohio director of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), told the House Ways and Means Committee that HB 540 — which would require payments in lieu of taxes from certain conservation organizations in counties where they hold large acreage — is the wrong approach and risks unintended consequences.
Stanley disputed testimony that TNC owns 20% of Adams County, saying the organization’s ownership in Adams County is "less than 5%" and that earlier sponsor estimates overstated the acreage. He noted TNC makes voluntary payments: "TNC provided a total of $17,111 in annual voluntary…
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