SE North Carolina News

Senators Ted Budd and Tim Kaine have introduced the Incentivizing REPI Sales Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill aims to enhance military readiness by preserving land around military installations for training, testing, and operations. The House version is supported by Representatives Greg Murphy and Jimmy Panetta.

Senator Budd emphasized the importance of maintaining military readiness amid global threats, stating: "I’m proud to partner with Senator Kaine to encourage additional REPI participation in order to strengthen military readiness."

Senator Kaine highlighted the need for modern bases for realistic training and noted his long-standing support for the Department of Defense's Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI). He said, "This legislation will incentivize participation in this program by creating a tax incentive for property owners who sell land or property for the military."

Representative Murphy pointed out that avoiding land use conflicts is crucial for military training, saying: "The Incentivizing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Sales Act supports this successful initiative by incentivizing landowners."

Representative Panetta addressed rising land costs as a barrier to protecting lands around bases. He remarked: "Our bipartisan bill would make it easier to preserve those critical buffers by waiving the capital gains tax."

The REPI Program facilitates cost-sharing agreements between various entities to prevent land use conflicts near military sites. It helps maintain necessary conditions for effective training while conserving natural habitats. An example includes protecting 27,000 acres around Fort Liberty, NC, aiding both military operations and local wildlife.

The proposed legislation seeks to exclude appreciated land value from federal capital gains tax when sold specifically for REPI purposes.