House Republican Press Release

July 2, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Maritime Land Preservation Law Enacted

Rep. Mike Alberts joined with Gov. M. Jodi Rell for a public bill signing ceremony of a new law designed to help preserve maritime heritage land.

This legislation signed into law, HB 6776, provides a property tax break for certain licensed commercial lobstermen by treating portions of waterfront property they own and use for lobstering like “490 program” land. Under the 490 program, farm, open space, and forest land is assessed at its current use value for property tax purposes.

The bill defines “maritime heritage land” as the portion of waterfront real property that a licensed commercial lobster fisherman owns and uses for commercial lobstering. It excludes buildings that are not used exclusively by the lobsterman for commercial lobstering. Such a lobsterman must have earned at least 50% of his or her adjusted gross income in the prior tax year, as determined for federal income tax purposes, from commercial lobster fishing. The lobsterman must provide satisfactory proof to the municipal assessor where the property is located.

Mike Alberts serves the 50^th Assembly District of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.