The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 455 proposes to transfer the oversight of farming activities on state-owned properties from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture. This change will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to all state-owned lands, including those under the care, custody, or control of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any lease agreements for farming on these properties must be renewed through the Department of Agriculture and the respective lessor. The bill introduces new legal language to establish this oversight structure while removing any conflicting provisions from current law.