CS/HB 7103 Summary

• Prohibits counties from enforcing ordinances that restrict bona fide farm operations on agricultural land if the activity is regulated through state best management practices or federal standards.

• Bars counties from charging stormwater management assessments or fees on agricultural land if the farm operation has required permits or implements approved best management practices; allows assessment only if credits are provided for conservation measures.

• Creates the "Agricultural Land Acknowledgement Act" requiring applicants for development permits on land contiguous to agricultural land to sign and record an acknowledgement that neighboring farm operations may create noise, odor, dust, and other typical agricultural effects.

• Expands agricultural exemptions including allowing non-natural persons to qualify for business tax receipt exemptions when selling farm products, extending farm tractor definitions, exempting farm fences and nonresidential farm buildings from building codes and fees, and allowing expanded open burning of agricultural materials.

• Modifies crop insurance regulations to exclude federal multiple-peril crop insurance premiums from gross writing ratio calculations and requires insurers to disclose crop insurance premiums separately in financial statements.