House of Representatives

HB 2128

Arizona register of heritage agriculture

Sponsor: Representative Gleason

DP	Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture
X	Committee on Commerce and Economic Development
	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

Establishes the Arizona Register of Heritage Agriculture to recognize agricultural property that has been in continuos commercial production and owned by the same family for at least 50 years.

Current Status

HB 2128 passed the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee unamended.

History

Many states have passed legislation to honor historic agricultural property including Kentucky, Delaware, Connecticut and California. Each of these states has taken different approaches; however, this legislation is modeled after Kentucky Law.

The Arizona Historical Advisory Commission (Commission) was created in 1967 to advise the legislature and state agencies on matters relating to historic preservation. HB 2128 authorizes the Commission to determine whether to list property on the Arizona Register of Heritage Agriculture. The Commission is appointed by the Director of the Department of Library Archives and Public Records. Membership on the Commission may vary from 10 to not more than 20 persons who have expertise in historic preservation, the disciplines of history, architecture, and archaeology; also librarians, archivists, and others involved in interpretation, research, writing, or teaching the State's heritage. Statutory members include the Directors of the Arizona Historical Society, the State Museum, the State Parks, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Members of the Commission serve staggered, three-year terms.

Provisions

· Establishes an application process for nominating agricultural property for listing on the Arizona Register of Heritage Agriculture (Register) through the Commission. A non-refundable fee is required when the application is submitted.

· States that in order to be eligible for listing on the register the property:

-Must be comprised of at least ten acres of real property owned by the same family and in continuos commercial production for the past 50 years.

-Must include at least one house, barn, shed, crib, granary, silo, windmill or fence that is at least 25 years old.

· Creates an advisory group of persons with experience in agriculture, appointed by the Commission to evaluate applications.

· Stipulates that qualified property owners will receive a certificate and the right to identify the property as Arizona Heritage Agriculture Property using signs, monuments, plaques, letterhead and other identifiers.

· Stipulates that the owner’s right to use or modify property is not affected by listing on the Register.

· Specifies that the Commission may require the owner to submit an annual affidavit to ensure that the property continues to qualify.

· Establishes a criminal penalty of a Class 3 misdemeanor (up to 30 days in jail and $500.00 in fines for an individual or $2000.00 for enterprises) for using the designation without permission from the Commission or for commercial purposes not authorized by this legislation.

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· 45th Legislature

· Second Regular Session 2 February 7, 2002

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