Bill > HB1584

This bill amends the Agricultural Area Security Law to modify provisions related to the purchase of agricultural conservation easements. The bill allows counties more flexibility in determining the minimum acreage requirements for farmland tracts eligible for conservation easement purchases. Specifically, counties can now consider tracts smaller than 50 acres if they are at least ten acres and used for a unique crop, or if they are less than ten acres and contiguous to a property with an existing perpetual conservation easement. The bill also establishes new rules for subdividing land under conservation easements, permitting subdivisions less than ten acres that are contiguous to existing easement-protected land, with the condition that the new tract must be conveyed to the owner of the adjacent tract and merged into that property. Additionally, the bill stipulates that such subdivisions will not be subject to roll-back taxes and cannot be used for residential purposes. These changes aim to provide more flexibility for farmers while maintaining the overall goal of preserving agricultural land and preventing unnecessary development.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1584