PILT Increase to Benefit Region, Causer Says
HARRISBURG – The General Assembly has approved an increase in the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) on state lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced today.
The PILT provides much-needed compensation to communities that have a high amount of state-owned land that is not subject to property taxes.
“This is great news for our region,” Causer said. “In addition to the immediate increase in the PILT rate, the bill will also adjust the rate for inflation every five years, ensuring our communities are more consistently and fairly compensated for the value of this land.”
Under the legislation, each of the three agencies would pay $9 per acre, split evenly among the county, municipality and school district in which the land is located. That’s an increase of $1.80 over the current rate. The increase will be funded through slot machine revenue.
While the rates were adjusted last year, prior to that, it had been six years since the DCNR rate was increased and more than 15 years since the PGC and PFBC rates had been increased. Under this measure, the rates would be adjusted for inflation every five years starting in fiscal year 2030-31. The increased amounts would be paid equally from slot machine revenue and the agency managing the land.
The PILT increase is included in the state’s 2024-25 Fiscal Code bill, which aids in implementation of the annual state budget. The measure was signed into law as
Act 54 of 2024.