GEORGIA LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM 
HB 386 Changes to the Conservation Tax Credit Program 
 Requires donations to meet two (instead of one) conservation purposes.  Redefines eligible conservatiGonEOpRurGpIoAsesLaAsN:D CONSERVATION PROGRAM 
o Water quality protection for wetlands, rivers, streams, or lakes; o Protection of wildlife habitat consistent with state wildlife conservation policies; o Protection of outdoor recreation consistent with state outdoor recreation policies; o Protection of prime agricultural or forestry lands; and o Protection of cultural sites, heritage corridors, or archeological and historic resources.  Replaces the "Qualified Organizations" definition with the requirement that eligible non-governmental donation recipients be accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. This requirement goes into effect on January 1, 2014.  Reduces the maximum tax credit for partnership donors from $1 million to $500,000.  Requires appraisals to be submitted with tax credit applications and be approved by the State Properties Commission.  Requires donated lands to be subject to the following permanent restrictions: o No subdivision is permitted on properties smaller than 500 acres, and only one subdivision is permitted if the 
subject property is larger than 500 acres; o No permitted constructions may harm any existing conservation values on the property; o No permitted constructions may occur within 150 feet of perennial or intermittant streams; o No permitted constructions may increase impervious coverage to more than 1% of the property's surface 
area; o Stream buffers that provide for at least 75% canopy cover must extend for at least 100 feet on either side of 
perennial streams and at least 50 feet on either side of intermittant streams; o Permitted agricultural or silvicultural activities must meet or exceed Best Management Practices, as 
established by the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission or Georgia Forestry Commision; o No mining may be allowed on the property; and o No non-native invasive species listed in Categories 1 and 2 by the Georgia Exotic Pest Council may be 
planted.  Assesses an application fee equal to either: 
o 1% of the donated property value, if the donation has been accepted by a state agency; or o $5,000 for all other donations.  Requires `phased' easements involving multiple subdivided parts of what was previously one tract to have a five-year waiting period between successive donations.  Limits the number of times a conservation tax credit may be transferred to one.  Establishes a more detailed process to determine the value of claimed donationsl.  Increases potential penalties on appraisers who submit erroneous appraisals to $10,000 and referral to the Georgia Real Estate Commission.  Requires taxpayers to `add back' the value of their federal deductions before applying the conservation income tax credit to their state income tax return.  Prohibits local governments from holding conservation easements that are entirely outside their jurisdictions.