The bill, known as General Assembly Committee Bill No. 73, proposes to transfer the oversight of farming activities on state-owned land from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to the Department of Agriculture. This change will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to all farming occurring on state-owned properties, including those under the care, custody, or control of DEEP. Additionally, any lease agreements for farming on such properties will need to be renewed between the Department of Agriculture and the respective lessor.

The bill aims to streamline the management of agricultural activities on state land by consolidating oversight under the Department of Agriculture. The legal language inserted into the current law specifies that the Department of Agriculture will be responsible for these activities, while the proposed deletions clarify that the previous oversight by DEEP will no longer be applicable. The intent of the bill is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of farming operations on state-owned land.