Overview: Bill Number: A 297, Title: Expands a certain tax credit for farmers to include the cost of construction of housing for farm workers, Status: REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS, Introduced: January 08, 2025
Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to provide additional tax incentives for farmers to construct housing for their farm workers. The goal is to improve the living conditions and access to affordable housing for agricultural laborers, who often face challenges finding suitable accommodations.
Key Provisions:
- Expands an existing tax credit for farmers to include the costs of constructing, renovating, or improving housing for their farm workers
- Allows farmers to claim the tax credit for up to 50% of the eligible housing construction or improvement costs
- Establishes guidelines and eligibility criteria for the expanded tax credit program
- Requires the housing to meet certain standards for safety, habitability, and accessibility
Affected Parties and Impacts: This bill would primarily benefit farmers who employ agricultural workers and are looking to provide better housing options for their employees. It could incentivize farmers to invest in improving the living conditions of their workforce, which could have positive impacts on worker retention, productivity, and overall quality of life. Farm workers would also benefit from having access to more affordable and suitable housing.
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee for further review and consideration. If passed, the expanded tax credit program would need to be implemented and promoted to eligible farmers within the state.