Tax increase proposed for forest lands

A bill introduced to the Montana Legislature would increase taxes to property classified as forest land.

Sponsored by Sen. JP Pomnichowski, D-Bozeman, the bill seeks to increase the tax revenue received by the state by $385,000. The additional revenue would be used to support the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s County Cooperative Fire Protection Program.

Revenue collected by counties on property tax bills goes to salaries for state personnel who train county firefighters and provides equipment such as fire engines to county firefighters, according to Bob Harrington, a DNRC state forester.

For 2015, the fire assessment fees will bring in about $3.6 million. About 45 million acres in the state are covered by the cooperative program.

Pomnichowski’s bill proposes raising the fee for parcels of 20 acres or less from $45 to $50 and for additional acres from 24 cents to 30 cents. Fees will increase over the next three years, reaching $402,585 by 2019.

The bill went before the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 14. Mark Baker of Plum Creek Timber Co. said the company supports the bill even if it increases taxes on the 800,000 acres it holds in Montana.

According to the DNRC Web site, about 400 fire departments across the state participate in the Cooperative Fire Protection Program.

“DNRC provides training, prevention materials and equipment, and assists on fires that escape the capabilities of the county,” the Web site states. “More than 350 engines and water tenders are on loan and located throughout each county across the state.”