Green Acres, federal conformity get green light

published 3/26/2009

Members of a conference committee finalized an agreement on a federal tax conformity and Green Acres bill.

The Senate amended HF392, a federal tax conformity bill, sponsored by Rep. Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington), by including language that would make changes to the controversial Green Acres program.

In 2008, the Green Acres law was modified by changing the definition of land allowed in the program. As approved by the conference committee, the Green Acres program would now institute Rural Preservation, which land could be placed in if it is classified as “non-productive land.”

“The criteria for Green Acres remains the same. This is for parcels that were in Green Acres that weren’t qualified so we have a place to put them,” said Sen. Rod Skoe (DFL-Clearbrook).

The federal tax conformity portion of the bill was approved as written by the House, with the following taken out: delaying corporate refunds, a teacher classroom deduction and a provision that would prevent the governor from appointing anyone who has been convicted of a criminal violation of a federal or state tax or revenue law.

A conference committee report will now be drafted.

- Mike Cook