Bills
Green Space Sales Tax
Bill #: S.152
Session: 2021-2022
Topics:
Land
The Green Space Sales Tax bill was introduced in 2021 by Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort). As initially written, coastal counties could approve added funding for green space creation and improvement in their counties via ballot referendum through a 1% increase in sales tax. The potential for expanded land protection throughout the state as a result of this bill is significant.
As the bill moved through the Senate, however, excitement for this opportunity grew, and the bill was amended to allow a referendum in all counties across the state. The House amended the bill further to allow counties more flexibility in assessing an “up to” 1% tax (vs 1% in the Senate). This change in the House provides significantly more flexibility and allows more opportunities for this land protection tool to be used throughout the state. In the end, the bill passed through both chambers and was signed into law in May of 2021.
How Legislators Voted on S.152
Votes:
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
S.152 Green Space Sales Tax (3rd Reading in Senate)
After some late-in-the-game amendments, the Senate gave this bill third reading by a vote of 41-3 and passed it onto the House. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” on second reading.
- + Pro Conservation Vote
- - Anti Conservation Vote
- EA Excused Absence
- NV Not Voting
- NA Not in Office
- A Abstained (Conflict of Interest)
S.152 Green Space Sales Tax (Second Reading in House)
After being passed out favorably by the House Ways and Means Committee, the House gave the S.152 Second reading by a vote of 67-28. This is a Pro-Conservation Bill. The pro-conservation vote was “Yea” on second reading.
