HB 17-1065 Summary

• Prohibits inclusion of tracts of 40+ acres used primarily and zoned for agricultural uses in park and recreation districts or metropolitan districts providing parks and recreational services without written consent of owners.

• Allows agricultural land to lose exclusion status and become subject to district obligations if its use or zoning is changed from agricultural to another designation after January 1 of the following year.

• Clarifies that only petition signatures obtained after service plan approval or municipal petition approval may be considered by district courts when verifying the required number of taxpaying electors.

• Applies to special district court petitions filed on or after the effective date of the act (August 9, 2017, subject to referendum petition provisions).

• Requires voter approval at the November 2018 general election for the act to take effect, unless no referendum petition is filed within 90 days of final adjournment.