2004 House Bill 5709

Diseased tree removal tax credit

Introduced in the House

March 30, 2004

Introduced by Rep. Fran Amos (R-43)

To authorize a Single Business Tax credit of up to $10,000 for a firm that sells trees for less than the market price to a municipality to replace ash trees infested with emerald ash borer. The credit would equal the total amount the trees were discounted below the market price.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management

May 25, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 3, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that reduces the tax credit to $5,000 and authorizes it for tree nurseries only.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Fran Amos (R-43)

To clarify the definition of a tree nursery.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Kathleen Law (D-23)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 5603, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 5603 would raise the penalties for violators of quarantines established to limit the spread of the emerald ash borer.

The amendment failed 46 to 61 (details)

Passed in the House 64 to 42 (details)

To authorize a Single Business Tax credit of up to $5,000 for the losses incurred by a tree nursery on ash trees infested with the emerald ash borer parasite.

Received in the Senate

June 8, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism