S. 4700

119 S4700 IS: Complete America’s Great Trails Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-06-08
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4700  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   June 8, 2026   Mr. Blumenthal  (for himself,  Mr. Murphy ,  Ms. Warren , and  Mr. Van Hollen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Finance    A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for qualified conservation contributions which include National Scenic Trails.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Complete America’s Great Trails Act  .
2.
National Scenic Trail conservation credit
(a)
In general
Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of  chapter 1  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
30E.
National Scenic Trail conservation credit
(a)
Allowance of credit
There shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the fair market value of any National Scenic Trail conservation contribution of the taxpayer for the taxable year.
(b)
National Scenic Trail conservation contribution
For purposes of this section—
(1)
In general
The term  National Scenic Trail conservation contribution  means any qualified conservation contribution—
(A)
to the extent the qualified real property interest with respect to such contribution includes a National Scenic Trail (or portion thereof) and its trail corridor, and
(B)
with respect to which the taxpayer makes an election under this section.
(2)
National Scenic Trail
The term  National Scenic Trail  means any trail authorized and designated under section 5 of the National Trails System Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1244 ).
(3)
Trail corridor
(A)
In general
The term  trail corridor  means so much of the corridor of a trail as is—
(i)
subject to subparagraph (B), not less than 50 feet wide on each side of such trail, and
(ii)
not greater than 2,640 feet wide.
(B)
Exceptions
(i)
Less than 50 feet wide on a side of the trail
In the case of an interest in real property of the taxpayer which includes less than 50 feet on either side of the trail, the trail corridor shall include the entire distance with respect to such interest on such side.
(ii)
Building and structures near the trail
In the case of an interest in real property of the taxpayer which includes a residence or structure owned by the taxpayer which is located less than 50 feet from the trail, the trail corridor for the side of the trail on which the residence or structure is located shall include such distance from the trail as is determined appropriate by the taxpayer.
(4)
Qualified conservation contribution; qualified real property interest
The terms  qualified conservation contribution  and  qualified real property interest  have the respective meanings given such terms by section 170(h), except that paragraph (2)(A) thereof shall be applied without regard to any qualified mineral interest (as defined in paragraph (6) thereof).
(c)
Special rules
(1)
Fair market value
Fair market value of any National Scenic Trail conservation contribution shall be determined in the same manner as qualified conservation contributions under section 170, except that in any case, to the extent practicable, fair market value shall be determined by reference to the highest and best use of the real property with respect to such contribution.
(2)
Election irrevocable
An election under this section may not be revoked.
(3)
Denial of double benefit
No deduction shall be allowed under this chapter with respect to any qualified conservation contribution with respect to which an election is made under this section.
(d)
Application with other credits
(1)
Business credit treated as part of general business credit
So much of the credit which would be allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined without regard to this subsection) that is attributable to property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income shall be treated as a credit listed in section 38(b) for such taxable year (and not allowed under subsection (a)).
(2)
Personal credit
For purposes of this title, the credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year (determined after the application of paragraph (1)) shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart A for such taxable year.
(e)
Carryforward of unused credit
(1)
In general
If the credit allowable under subsection (a) exceeds—
(A)
the limitation imposed by section 26(a) for any taxable year, reduced by
(B)
the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A (other than this section) for the taxable year,
 such excess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable year and added to the credit allowable under subsection (a) for such succeeding taxable year.
(2)
Limitation
No credit may be carried forward under this subsection to any taxable year following the tenth taxable year after the taxable year in which the credit arose. For purposes of the preceding sentence, credits shall be treated as used on a first-in first-out basis.
 .
(b)
Continued use not inconsistent with conservation purposes
A contribution of an interest in real property shall not fail to be treated as a National Scenic Trail conservation contribution (as defined in  section 30E(b)  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) solely by reason of continued use of the real property, such as for recreational or agricultural use (including motor vehicle use related thereto), if, under the circumstances, such use does not impair significant conservation interests and is not inconsistent with the purposes of the National Trails System Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1241 et seq. ).
(c)
Study regarding efficacy of National Scenic Trail conservation credit
(1)
In general
The Secretary of the Interior shall, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, study—
(A)
the efficacy of the National Scenic Trail conservation credit under  section 30E  of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in completing, extending, and increasing the number of National Scenic Trails (as defined in section 30E(b) of such Code), and
(B)
the feasibility and estimated costs and benefits of—
(i)
making such credit refundable (in whole or in part), and
(ii)
allowing transfer of such credit.
(2)
Report
Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report to Congress on the results of the study conducted under this subsection.
(d)
Conforming amendment
The table of sections for subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
30E. National Scenic Trail conservation credit.
  .
(e)
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to contributions made after the date of the enactment of this Act.