Bill > H444

This bill amends the conservation restrictions and agricultural preservation statutes in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring landowners who terminate a non-development covenant to reimburse the state for any previous compensation provided. 2. Establishing a program for the state to acquire agricultural preservation restrictions, including allowing the state to hold title jointly with municipalities or non-profit organizations. 3. Authorizing the Department of Agricultural Resources to enforce and monitor agricultural preservation restrictions, and allow for special permits for certain non-agricultural activities on restricted land. 4. Creating an Agricultural Preservation Trust Fund to manage funds related to these restrictions. 5. Strengthening protections for properties subject to conservation, preservation, agricultural, and watershed restrictions, including requiring a two-thirds vote of the legislature to release such restrictions. 6. Applying these changes retroactively to all existing restrictions authorized under the relevant statutes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H444