Bill > SB339

This bill modifies the Agricultural Area Security Law to change several provisions related to agricultural conservation easements. The bill reduces the minimum required acreage for farmland tracts from 50 to 25 acres, with exceptions for smaller tracts that are used for unique crops or are adjacent to properties with existing conservation easements. The bill also provides more flexible subdivision rules for lands under agricultural conservation easements, allowing tracts less than ten acres to be conveyed to contiguous landowners who also have conservation easements, with specific requirements for deed preparation and merger. Additionally, the bill mandates that ten percent of realty transfer taxes collected by the Commonwealth will be deposited into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund, which is specifically designated for purchasing agricultural conservation easements. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for farmers and landowners while continuing to support the preservation of agricultural lands through conservation easements. The bill will take effect 30 days after its passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=339