HB 581 -- Farmland Protection Act

Co-Sponsors:  Kreider, Ridgeway, Myers, Carnahan, Lograsso,
Black, Crump, Legan

This bill is to be known as the Farmland Protection Act.  The
provisions of the act apply to tracts of real property comprised
of 10 or more contiguous acres, used as agricultural or single
family residential property or both, and not located in a
platted subdivision.

The purpose of the bill is to protect agricultural,
horticultural, and forestry land; promote continued rural
economic viability; promote quality of life; promote continued
viability of those businesses dependent on providing materials,
equipment, and services to agriculture, horticulture, and
forestry; and protect farmland from negative impacts.

The bill requires the state or any political subdivision to hold
sewer and water assessments in abeyance, without interest, until
improvements on property covered by the bill are connected to
the sewer or water system.  Upon connection to the sewer or
water system the owner is to pay an amount equal to the
proportionate charge for the number of system lines connected to
improvements on the property.

The provisions of the bill do not apply to rural water supply
districts, except that a rural water supply district is not to
require payment from landowners whose property is crossed to
service another tract of land until the landowner requests
connection to the rural water supply district.

Persons purchasing property located within one-half mile of
property used for agricultural purposes are to be given a notice
of that prior to the final sale.  The bill specifies the
language of the notice.

The bill also requires that property subject to the Farmland
Protection Act is not to be taken by any political subdivision
of the state by eminent domain except after an open public
hearing.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:02 pm