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, as defined in 2-23-4, or agricultural land, as defined in 42-82-2, for the extension of water utilities past their property. It specifically states that no connection fees can be charged to these owners, with the definition of "connection fees" expanded to include any impact fee or any other fee designed to circumvent this prohibition. The protections against such assessments apply only to agricultural operations and land that existed as of July 1, 2026, and these protections become void if the owner of the agricultural operation develops or sells the property or farmland to a non-qualifying agricultural operation.

Additionally, the bill allows owners of agricultural operations to be charged for the extension of sewer utilities only if they request it. They may connect to any sewer utility extension made past their property at the normal cost of tie-in, without incurring additional costs related to the extension. The previous provision that voided protections if the property was developed or sold within twenty years has been removed. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8014: 42-82-16