HB 419 shows signs of life
Almost given up for dead, HB 419 may see a committee vote early this week. Spurred on by the efforts of Committee Chair Brandon Smith and members David Boswell and Dorsey Ridley to name two others, HB 419 clings to life. Thanks to a concerted by supporters, ( special thanks to Bill Martin, Libby Jones and Larry Arnett) the hope now is that it will clear the Natural Resources Committee and hit the floor of the Senate by mid-week. This gives it a chance to pass. We’ll need every email and message possible, especially to members of the Senate leadership, to see this thing through to the end. I’m reprinting for the blog an explanation were are giving to each member of the Senate:
WHY SUPPORT HB 419?
- HB 419 is the product of four years of study by the 22 members of the Land Stewardship Taskforce, who compared Kentucky’s land conservation programs with those of surrounding states.
- HB 419 is the first phase in what will be a campaign to raise awareness of and financial support for land stewardship in Kentucky.
WHAT IS LAND STEWARDSHIP?
- Land Stewardship refers to a combination of programs designed to preserve and promote the natural beauty of our state. There are three components of land conservation in land stewardship:
1) Preservation: nature preserves, unique habitats, endangered species, etc.
2) Conservation: working farms, forests and woodlands and green spaces.
3) Recreation: fishing, hunting, trail riding, bird-watching, off road vehicle’s as well as other access to Kentucky’s natural beauty.
All of these areas are equally important in a land stewardship program.
WHAT DOES HB 419 DO?
- HB 419 simply creates a fund, a logical place to put money when and if it becomes available.
- HB 419 also makes private non-profit conservation groups of all kinds eligible for Heritage Land Fund projects.
WHAT DOESN”T HB 419 DO?
- HB 419 does not carry any kind of appropriation nor does it raise any taxes.
- HB 419 can use tax receipts as part of its fund, but only if the Legislature creates the tax, or the people vote for it through a constitutional amendment.
- HB 419 buys property only from willing sellers, there is no power of eminent domain
PLEASE HELP CREATE A LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IN KENTUCKY BY SUPPORTING THE TASKFORCE RECOMMENDATION AND VOTING YES ON
HB 419