appropriation; agriculture
preservation districts
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Committee on Natural Resources & Agriculture |
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Committee on Appropriations |
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Caucus and COW |
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As Passed the House |
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HB 2189 appropriates $7,500,000 for agricultural preservation districts in fiscal years 2001-02 and 2002-03.
Laws 1999, Chapter 258 established a method to create agricultural preservation districts. This type of district may be formed to maintain and encourage existing agricultural uses and open space uses for the land in the district without hindering the private rights of ownership. Agricultural preservation districts promote land use that is compatible with district interests as well as with local zoning and planning interests and take actions that are consistent with continued use of military and former military airports. The district must be located no more than 10 miles from a military or former military airport and must include at least 6,400 acres of privately owned land.
The process to form an agricultural preservation district is outlined in statute and includes submission of a district impact statement to the Board of Directors in the county where the district is located, a public hearing, and a petition signed by the number of taxable property owners who own a majority of the taxable land in the district.
An agricultural preservation district has the power to acquire real or personal property, or interest in the property but may not levy a tax, issue bonds or exercise any power of eminent domain.