This bill amends the Agricultural Area Security Law to enhance the criteria for purchasing agricultural conservation easements. It specifies that farmland tracts must generally be at least 50 acres in size, with exceptions for tracts of at least ten acres that are either utilized for a unique crop or contiguous to properties with existing perpetual conservation easements. The bill introduces new provisions allowing counties to set a minimum size of 35 acres for tracts under certain conditions and establishes that tracts less than ten acres can only be considered for easement purchase if they are merged with a contiguous tract already under easement.

Additionally, the bill outlines conditions under which land subject to an agricultural conservation easement can be subdivided, including requirements for the newly created tract to be less than ten acres and contiguous to the original tract. It mandates that such subdivisions must be merged into the contiguous tract and recorded appropriately, while also ensuring that the original tract continues to meet existing easement provisions. The bill further clarifies that subdivisions will not incur roll-back taxes and restricts the use of newly created tracts for residential purposes.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1893 (Jun 10, 2025): P.L.128, No.43