A New York congressman from Columbia County says a recently passed bill in the House of Representatives helps promote conservation easements.
Republican Congressman Chris Gibson, who co-sponsored the America Gives More Act, says the legislation includes provisions to incentivize landowners to create conservation easements. The legislation makes permanent the temporary deduction for contributions of conservation easements by farmers, ranchers, and families. The bipartisan legislation passed the House July 17 by a vote of 277-130, the nays being all Democrats except one. Those who objected say the charitable giving incentives would help inflate an already large federal budget deficit. The bill also includes provisions to allow tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable purposes, among other initiatives to encourage giving to charitable organizations.
