Complete America’s Great Trails Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new tax credit for people who donate land or land rights to help complete National Scenic Trails. These are famous long distance hiking paths like the Appalachian Trail that often have gaps where they cross private property.
• The tax credit would equal the fair market value of the land or the rights being shared. This gives landowners a bigger financial reward than the current tax deductions available for conservation.
• Landowners can still use their property for things like farming or outdoor fun. As long as these activities do not hurt the trail or the environment, they can keep using the land while getting the tax break.
• If a landowner earns a credit that is larger than their tax bill, they can carry the extra amount forward. This allows them to lower their taxes for up to 10 years until the credit is used up.
• The credit applies to a trail corridor that is usually at least 50 feet wide on each side of the trail but no more than about half a mile wide in total. This ensures enough space is protected to keep the trail experience natural.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.