The proposed bill S.118, known as "The Food Security Act," aims to bolster economic development in the agricultural sector through various amendments to existing laws. Key provisions include exemptions from the seasonal manure application ban for liquid manure applied via direct soil injection and from the three-acre stormwater permit for farms that follow required agricultural practices. The bill also seeks to enhance the right-to-farm law by providing farms with increased protection against nuisance and trespass claims, clarifying that farm structures and employee housing are exempt from municipal regulations, and adjusting eligibility criteria for accessory on-farm businesses and agricultural land under the Use Value Appraisal Program.

Additionally, the bill proposes exemptions from the property transfer tax for certain property transfers related to farming operations and excludes specific net income from farming and the sale of certain farm property from Vermont income tax. It introduces amendments to agricultural and tax regulations, including the requirement for individuals building farm structures to notify their municipality without needing a permit, while allowing municipalities to impose reasonable conditions to protect wildlife. The bill also clarifies definitions related to agricultural land and income, establishes income thresholds for agricultural classification, and exempts certain property transfers based on familial relationships or employment criteria. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025, with some tax provisions taking effect retroactively on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 6-4816, 12-195, 24-4413(d), 24-4413, 10-6081(t), 10-6081, 32-3752(1), 32-3752, 32-5811(21), 32-5811, 32-9603