SENATOR OSTEN VOTES TO SUPPORT FARMERS WITH TAX RELIEF, GRANT PROGRAM

HARTFORD – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today voted to support the many farmers she represents in the 19^th State Senate District in Eastern Connecticut by endorsing  legislation that creates stronger tax incentives and expanded tax exemptions for farmers.

Senate Bill 1497, “An Act Concerning Programming At The Department Of Agriculture,” passed the Senate on a bipartisan 35-1 voted and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Eastern Connecticut is home to a wide variety of farms, both small and large, but there’s not as many as there used to be. We need to support out farmers in every way we can to stay in business and pass that business on, and this bill helps to reduce some of the costs associated with farming, such as taxes on the machinery and buildings that they need to operate,” said Sen. Osten.

SB 1497 takes the following steps to support farming in Connecticut:

-It provides a 20% income tax credit for farmers investing in machinery, buildings or equipment, supporting farmers who are struggling with costs and inflation

-It increases the local property tax exemption on farm machinery to $250,000, an increase from $100,000, with another $250,000 in savings if municipalities opt in; municipalities can also exempt up to $500,000 of farm buildings supporting barns, greenhouses and storage facilities

-It creates a new state-backed crop loss reimbursement grant program will help support farmers who face crop losses after extreme weather events, following increased flooding seen in recent years

-Farms engaged in agritourism, like pick-your-own fruit or seasonal festivals, will receive civil liability protection

-Drones can be used for precision application of fertilizers and pesticides