J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor 2141
No. 28
(House Joint Resolution 43)
House Joint Resolution to request the appointment of a Commission
REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S COMMITTEE
ON TAXATION AND FISCAL MATTERS to make recommenda-
tions on criteria to be used in equitable taxation of farmland and
woodlands.
Whereas, The paramount importance of agriculture to the State
of Maryland is recognized; and
Whereas, Farmland taxes should be related to income earned from
the land or its use value rather than the inflated value of the land
which has no bearing on the ability of the farm to pay real estate
taxes until the year when the land is sold; and
Whereas, Farm real estate taxes presently take 22% of farm cash
net income, while all non-farm state and local taxes in 1961 approxi-
mated 8% of non-farm personal income; and
Whereas, In 1960 total property taxes accounted for 42% of all
taxes in Maryland as compared with 21% in Delaware, 29% in West
Virginia, 35% in Pennsylvania and 38% in Virginia; and
Whereas, Changes in economic factors may indicate the need for
different guides in farmland assessment to insure uniformity; and
Whereas, Maryland is one of the few states without a capital gains
tax, and the Maryland State Grange and Maryland Farm Bureau,
have made sound recommendations for such a capital gains tax based
on ability to pay when the farmland is sold; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That there be cre-
ated a study commission to be known as the "Commission on Equi-
table Taxation on Farm Land," the membership of which shall be
composed of nine persons, all appointed by the Governor, of which
shall be included two members of the House of Delegates, one member
of the Senate of Maryland, two members from the faculty of the
University of Maryland, two members from the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation, one member from Farm Bureau, one
member from the Grange, and the members from the General Assem-
bly shall be selected, one from the Eastern Shore, one from Western
Maryland, and one from Southern Maryland; and be it further
Resolved, That this Study Commission be authorized and directed
to study and report to the Legislature on recommendations for equi-
table farm and forest land taxation.
RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BE REQUESTED TO IN-
STRUCT ITS COMMITTEE ON TAXATION AND FISCAL MAT-
TERS TO STUDY AND REPORT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUN-
CIL ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON CRITERIA TO BE USED FOR
EQUITABLE TAX OF FARM LAND AND WOODLAND.
Approved May 6, 1963.
|