Martin Carmichael

Perhaps this bill is targeted at private country clubs, but as written it could have devastating impacts on not-for-profits such as conservation societies and summer youth camps that own valuable property but put it to use for the good of the public generally. For example,, in our town we have a camp run by a not-for-profit that serves underprivileged kids and sits on the shore of Squam Lake, on property that would be worth millions of dollars if privately developed, Taxing the camp for the fair market value of that land could well put it out of business. As another example, I serve on the board of a local conservation society that owns fee interests in land - many of which have been donated to the organization over the years. Those properties are protected from development and allow public access - including in many cases via walking trails. There are doubtless other similar types charitable organizations that are “land rich” but that exist for the purpose of allowing the general public and the underpriviledged to enjoy the benefits of access to land that would otherwise be available only to the rich. Are these really the types of charitable activities that the sponsors want to tax? I oppose the legislation as drafted.