The bill amends Section 42-82-16 of the General Laws under the "Farmland Preservation Act" to prohibit cities, towns, quasi-municipal corporations, or public corporations from assessing owners of agricultural operations for the extension of water utilities past their properties. Specifically, it establishes that no connection fees can be charged for these extensions, with the definition of "connection fees" expanded to include any fees that attempt to circumvent this prohibition. The protections against such assessments apply only to agricultural operations existing as of July 1, 2025, and these protections become void if the property is developed or sold to non-qualifying agricultural operations.

Additionally, the bill allows for charges related to sewer utility extensions only if requested by the agricultural operation owner. It stipulates that the owner may connect to any sewer utility extension made past their property at the normal cost of tie-in, without incurring additional charges for infrastructure. The previous provision that allowed for assessments within twenty years of utility operation has been removed, thereby extending the protections for agricultural operations against such assessments indefinitely, provided they remain in compliance with the defined conditions. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
850: 42-82-16
850  SUB A: 42-82-16