Assembly Bill 852 aims to enhance farmland preservation efforts in Wisconsin by authorizing the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to award implementation grants to various local governments and tribal authorities for activities related to certified farmland preservation plans. The bill specifies that DATCP must enter into contracts with grant recipients, detailing eligible costs for activities such as certifying zoning ordinances, enrolling land in preservation agreements, and conducting outreach. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum area for designated agricultural enterprise areas from 2,000,000 acres to 3,000,000 acres, thereby expanding the scope of land eligible for preservation efforts.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions to index the farmland preservation income tax credit for inflation, ensuring that the credit amounts, currently set at $10 or $12.50 per qualifying acre, will adjust annually based on changes in agricultural price indices. This indexing will begin in August 2026 and will be based on the percentage change in prices paid by farmers or the consumer price index, depending on the circumstances. Overall, the bill seeks to strengthen the framework for farmland preservation in Wisconsin, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and supporting local governments in their preservation initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 20.115(7)(dm), 20.115, 20.115(7)(tm), 71.613(2)(intro.), 71.613, 91.84(1)(b), 91.84