I am reintroducing two pieces of legislation (HB 452 and HB 453 from last session) that will require the Agricultural Lands Condemnation Approval Board (ALCAB) to review a greater scope of highway projects proposed by entities with authority to condemn land by eminent domain.
 
Currently, entities that are looking to construct a new roadway over lands enrolled in agricultural security areas must seek review and approval by ALCAB before that land can be condemned for new highway purposes. Agricultural security areas, created by municipalities, offer enrolled landowners some additional protections from eminent domain, as well as the opportunity to preserve farmland through agricultural conservation easements. However, numerous transportation projects on existing roadways that would require the condemnation of land enrolled in agricultural security areas are not required to go before the ALCAB for review.
 
My legislative efforts would require that entities seeking to make any transportation improvements impacting lands enrolled in agricultural security areas submit projects for review by ALCAB. It is worth noting that several state agencies, including PennDOT, have a seat on ALCAB, along with representatives from agriculture.

Since Pennsylvania enacted agricultural security areas to preserve and protect our most valuable farm ground, it is reasonable that agencies present clear evidence of why there is not an alternative to taking valuable farm ground for transportation purposes. ALCAB can approve most projects if there is no reasonable or prudent alternative to using land enrolled in agricultural security areas.

Please consider joining me in co-sponsoring both pieces of this legislative package.