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Farmers urge uniform state treatment for farm structures under RSA 79F
Summary
Representative Keith Ammon said HB1647 would level inconsistent local tax treatment of farm structures by extending 79F protections statewide; farmers testified the optional statute currently creates unequal burdens and pressures sales or conversion of farmland.
Representative Keith Ammon introduced HB1647 as a measure to address uneven local assessment of farm structures and to make RSA 79F standards uniform across the state. "This bill addresses an unfair tax treatment of farm structures," Ammon said. He explained some towns assess farm buildings at market value even though those structures often do not produce independent revenue streams and are essential to on‑farm production.
Farm testimony: Rob Levit, owner/operator of Empress Farm in Mont Vernon, testified in support. "Farms benefit from assessments that better reflect real use and help keep family operations viable," Levit said, urging the committee to make 79F uniform so farms in nonadopting towns are not disadvantaged. He described cases where assessors value a barn at several times its insured replacement cost, pressuring farm sales.
Committee questions: Members asked for numbers and fiscal notes. Sponsors acknowledged limited formal analysis and said drafters and municipal groups may be asked to provide fiscal impact information. Questions focused on how the change would interact with current‑use law, acreage thresholds (RSA current‑use 10‑acre rules were discussed), and whether the bill would be an opt‑in or mandatory statewide change (sponsor described statewide application to structures enrolled in current use).
Next steps: The committee closed public testimony after several farmer witnesses and asked staff for statutory crosswalks (RSA 79F, RSA 751) and for any available fiscal notes and municipal association input.
