This bill amends the Agricultural Area Security Law to enhance the criteria for purchasing agricultural conservation easements. Key changes include the requirement that farmland tracts must be contiguous and 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. Additionally, counties may set a minimum size of 35 acres for tracts under certain conditions. The bill introduces new provisions allowing tracts smaller than ten acres to be considered for easement purchase if they are merged with a contiguous tract under an agricultural conservation easement.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific conditions under which land subject to an agricultural conservation easement can be subdivided, including that the new tract must be less than ten acres and contiguous to the original easement property. It mandates that any subdivision must be merged into the contiguous tract and recorded appropriately. The bill also clarifies that subdivisions will not incur roll-back taxes and that newly created tracts cannot be used for residential purposes. These amendments aim to strengthen the preservation of agricultural land while providing flexibility for landowners.

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