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Bill

HB 5064

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TAX CREDIT FOR FOOD DONATED BY FARMERS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Craig Fishbein and 3 co-sponsors

Connecticut tax credit rewards farmers donating surplus food to charities, incentivizing agricultural donations while addressing food insecurity.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
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Bill Summary · HB 5064

Legislative bill overview

HB 5064 would create a state tax credit for farmers who donate food products to charitable organizations. The credit would incentivize agricultural donations by providing tax relief to farmer-donors. The bill establishes a mechanism to recognize and reward farms that contribute to food security efforts through charitable giving.

Why is this important

Food insecurity remains a significant issue, and many farms have surplus or unmarketable produce that could serve charitable purposes. Tax incentives can encourage farmers to donate rather than discard food, creating a win-win: charities gain resources to feed vulnerable populations, and farmers receive tax benefits. This approach leverages private agricultural capacity to address public food needs while supporting the farming community.

Potential points of contention

  • Tax revenue impact: The state must determine the credit's value and cap, as overly generous credits could reduce tax revenue significantly without clear budgetary planning
  • Valuation and fraud concerns: Establishing fair market value for donated items and preventing inflated valuations to claim excessive credits will require clear regulatory guidelines and auditing mechanisms
  • Equity questions: The credit may primarily benefit larger commercial farms with the infrastructure to donate consistently, potentially excluding small-scale or struggling farmers from the incentive structure
  • Administrative burden: Charities and the state would need systems to track, verify, and document donations to validate tax credit claims

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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