Texas Scorecard by Darrell Frost April 7, 2023
Legislation by State Rep. Justin Holland would facilitate creation of conservation easements, which are favored by the Biden administration to fight the “climate crisis.”A Republican lawmaker wants to make it easier for the state to control private property.
A measure by State Rep. Justin Holland (R–Rockwall) would create a “land and water conservation fund” to provide grants for the development of conservation, restoration, or public access projects on private land designated as conservation easements.
In Texas law, a conservation easement is a portion of land for which certain development and usage rights are transferred from a private landowner to a government entity or land trust, often in perpetuity, without relinquishing ownership of the property.
Conservation easements are intended to protect wildlife and natural resources by preserving the natural environment of undeveloped land. The contract establishing the easement specifies the rights of the property owner and whether it is accessible to the public. In return for donating or selling the rights to the easement, the property owner can receive a federal income tax deduction, reduce potential estate taxes for his heirs, and reduce his property tax liability.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/to-create-more-green-spaces-lawmaker-pushes-for-government-control-of-private-property/
