A bill that invests in new energy and will create jobs became law today. Governor Brewer signed HB 2225, sponsored Rep. Matt Heinz, D-Tucson, which adds algaculture, the growth and harvest of algae, to the definition of agricultural state trust lands.
HB 2225 will allow the Arizona State Land Department to issue agricultural leases for algaculture operations.
“This is good news for Arizona,” Heinz said. “By including algaculture in the definition of agriculture, we provide additional opportunities for algae farmers to support innovation in this emerging industry, which has the potential to create both jobs and new energy resources.”
Algae have many uses including pollution reduction and the production of biodiesel and jet fuel.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved HB 2225 on a bipartisan vote. Heinz also sponsored a second bill, HB 2226, that would give algae farms the same lower property tax rates provided to other farm entities. This would make algaculture more economically feasible.