Bill > HB1234

This bill establishes a comprehensive agricultural land protection program in Indiana designed to conserve and protect agricultural land from development. The bill creates the Indiana Land Protection Board to administer the program in coordination with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, with the primary goal of preserving farmland for agricultural production. The program allows the state and counties to purchase agricultural conservation easements, which are legal agreements that permanently restrict land use to agricultural purposes, preventing development while allowing farmers to continue owning and using their land. Key provisions include establishing an Agricultural Conservation Easement Fund, defining eligibility criteria for land to qualify for easements (such as being at least 50 acres or contiguous to other protected land), and setting terms for easement acquisition. The board can purchase easements directly, receive donated easements, and provide grants to counties for local agricultural land protection efforts. Landowners can apply to have their property considered for an agricultural conservation easement, and the board will determine the value based on agricultural and non-agricultural land values. The program aims to protect Indiana's farmland by creating a mechanism for preserving agricultural land in perpetuity, ensuring the state's continued agricultural productivity.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1234/details