Arizona Laws Proposed for Algae Farming

January 25, 2012
AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com

essica Testa reports in  Cronkite News that a Democratic Tucson, Arizona lawmaker, Matt Heinz, has introduced two bills that he said will allow for the growth of algae cultivation in Arizona, and have algae farms and related facilities defined—and taxed—like any corn field or packing plant.

The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee has endorsed HB 2225, which would expand the definition of agricultural lands to include algaculture research, development and commercial production on state trust land.

HB 2226, scheduled for a committee hearing, would expand the definition of agricultural real property for the purposes of taxation to incorporate algaculture. That includes research, development and commercial production of algae for biofuels or hydrogen.

Rep. Russ Jones, R-Yuma, who signed on as a primary sponsor of both bills, said it’s important to give the industry the same tax treatment as conventional farming.

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