I
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 519
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 13, 2017
Mr. Buck (for himself, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Tipton, Mrs. Love, and Mr. Bishop of Utah) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to facilitate water leasing and water transfers to promote conservation and efficiency.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2017
.
Facilitate water leasing and water transfers to promote conservation and efficiency
In general
Paragraph (12) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Treatment of mutual ditch irrigation companies
In general
In the case of a mutual ditch or irrigation company or of a like organization to a mutual ditch or irrigation company, subparagraph (A) shall be applied without taking into account any income received or accrued—
from the sale, lease, or exchange of fee or other interests in real and personal property, including interests in water,
from the sale or exchange of stock in a mutual ditch or irrigation company (or in a like organization to a mutual ditch or irrigation company) or contract rights for the delivery or use of water, or
from the investment of proceeds from sales, leases, or exchanges under subclauses (I) and (II),
Treatment of organizational governance
In the case of a mutual ditch or irrigation company or of a like organization to a mutual ditch or irrigation company, where State law provides that such a company or organization may be organized in a manner that permits voting on a basis which is pro rata to share ownership on corporate governance matters, subparagraph (A) shall be applied without taking into account whether its member shareholders have one vote on corporate governance matters per share held in the corporation. Nothing in this clause shall be construed to create any inference about the requirements of this subsection for companies or organizations not included in this clause.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.