summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Agricultural Land Conservation Act. Makes findings. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a Farmland Conversion Fee shall be paid by the buyer or lessee in a transaction for any agricultural land that will be removed from production for the specific purpose to develop solar farms, wind farms, industrial parks, commercial areas, single and multiple family dwellings, or any other use that removes agricultural land from production, with certain requirements, of between $700 and $900 per acre, according to the amount of acres. Provides for certain exemptions. Provides for remittance to and collection by the Department of Revenue, with rulemaking required. Creates the Farmland Conversion Fee Fund as a special fund in the State treasury, with certain requirements. Provides that certain amounts must be expended from the Fund for certain purposes. Provides that all State real property being used in the commercial production of agricultural commodities shall use an established metric for the purpose of advancing adoption of conservation practices, with certain requirements. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Agricultural Land Conservation Act, which introduces a Farmland Conversion Fee to be paid by buyers or lessees when converting agricultural land to non-agricultural uses like solar farms, wind farms, industrial parks, or residential developments, starting January 1, 2026. The fee is structured in a tiered system ranging from $700 to $900 per acre, depending on the amount of land being converted, with certain exemptions for agricultural infrastructure, state agency conversions, transmission systems, and conservation practices. The bill creates a Farmland Conversion Fee Fund in the state treasury, which will allocate funds to support Soil and Water Conservation Districts, providing at least $17.5 million annually for their operations, with additional funds distributed to the Department of Labor and Department of Revenue for administrative costs. The legislation highlights the significant loss of agricultural land to development in the Midwest, with 70% of solar projects and 94% of wind projects located on agricultural land between 2012 and 2020. The bill also requires all state-owned agricultural properties to adopt conservation practices, such as cover crops, no-till farming, nutrient management plans, and other environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, with the goal of preserving agricultural land and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (29)
Dave Koehler (D)*,
Neil Anderson (R),
Chris Balkema (R),
Terri Bryant (R),
Cristina Castro (D),
Javier Cervantes (D),
Don DeWitte (R),
Mary Edly-Allen (D),
Laura Ellman (D),
Paul Faraci (D),
Dale Fowler (R),
Mike Halpin (D),
Erica Harriss (R),
Mike Hastings (D),
Linda Holmes (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Patrick Joyce (D),
Seth Lewis (R),
Steve McClure (R),
Laura Murphy (D),
Chapin Rose (R),
Dave Syverson (R),
Jil Tracy (R),
Doris Turner (D),
Sally Turner (R),
Rachel Ventura (D),
Karina Villa (D),
Ram Villivalam (D),
Craig Wilcox (R),
Last Action
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments (on 06/02/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2387&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| Senate Amendment 001 | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB2387sam001.htm |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/SB/10400SB2387.htm |
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