1. (a) In this section, “conservation property” means land that is:

   1. (1) unimproved;
   2. (2) not used for commercial purposes; and

   3. (3) subject to a perpetual conservation easement that is:

      1. (i) donated to the Department of Natural Resources or the Maryland Environmental Trust and identifies the Department of Natural Resources or the Maryland Environmental Trust as a grantee under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Natural Resources Article; and
      2. (ii) accepted and approved by the Board of Public Works after June 30, 1986.
2. (b) There shall be a property tax credit granted under this section against the property tax imposed on conservation property.
3. (c) On or before October 1 of the taxable year for which property tax relief under this section is sought, an owner of conservation property may apply to the Department for the property tax credit. The application shall be made on the form that the Department provides.
4. (d) The property tax credit provided under this section shall be granted against 100% of all property tax that otherwise would be due.
5. (e) Conservation property shall be valued and assessed as provided in § 8-209.1 of this article.
6. (f) A property tax credit granted under this section is effective for 15 consecutive tax years beginning July 1 following the donation of the easement.

Added by Acts 1986, c. 621. Amended by Acts 2004, c. 379, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004; Acts 2006, c. 489, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006.