Subcommittee approves HB359 with amendment to include hydroponics; cannabis may qualify under changes

The Local Revenue Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee voted to report HB359, a measure altering an optional local property-tax credit for urban agriculture, favorably as amended.

Stan, committee staff, summarized the bill and the amendment: "The bill is making alterations to the existing optional local property tax credit for urban agricultural property, and the amendment adds some language. So certain urban agricultural purposes are authorized, and the amendment would add as an authorized agricultural purpose hydroponics and other soilless or controlled environment crop production methods." The amendment was moved and seconded and then considered by the committee.

During discussion, committee member Doug Hartman asked whether the bill could apply to cannabis. Stan and the chair clarified that the bill repeals acreage requirements and allows for indoor and outdoor crop production; Stan said, in effect, that a cannabis licensee could qualify under the credit because the acreage requirement was repealed and the bill permits indoor crop production. The subcommittee then took a vote and the chair announced the result as four in favor and one opposed; HB359 passed out of the subcommittee as amended.

Committee members said the remaining bills on the agenda would be discussed next week. The subcommittee adjourned at 12:54 p.m.