Bill > SB0253

This bill amends Indiana law to add specific conditions for designating agricultural land as part of an economic revitalization area (ERA). Under the new provisions, a designating body can only include agricultural land in an ERA after June 30, 2025, if one of two conditions is met: (1) the land has an average soil productivity factor of less than 1 (taking into account any applicable influence factors), or (2) the land will be predominantly used for agricultural purposes, including new agricultural or farm improvements. The bill introduces a new definition for "soil productivity factor" related to determining the true tax value of agricultural land. This legislation aims to provide more structured guidelines for local governments when considering agricultural properties for economic revitalization designations, ensuring that such designations do not negatively impact high-quality agricultural land. The bill requires designating bodies to carefully evaluate the agricultural potential and intended use of the land before including it in an economic revitalization area, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to protect agricultural resources.

Budget and Finance

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/253/details