SB 1248 Summary

• Creates new Chapter on Agricultural Enterprises authorizing the Department of Agriculture to plan, design, construct, operate, manage, maintain, repair, and remove infrastructure on lands under its jurisdiction to support agriculture

• Establishes Agricultural Enterprise Program allowing the department to accept transfer of agricultural enterprise lands and agricultural enterprises from the Department of Land and Natural Resources with mutual board approval

• Establishes Agricultural Enterprise Special Fund to receive legislative appropriations and all lease rents, fees, penalties, and revenue collected from agricultural enterprise lands, with funds used for planning, designing, constructing, and operating agricultural infrastructure

• Authorizes department to dispose of agricultural enterprise lands by negotiation, drawing of lots, conversion, or public auction by lease, subject to board rules and requirements that lessees derive major income from agricultural activities and comply with environmental laws

• Sets lease term limits of 15 to 65 years and prohibits transfer of Class A or B agricultural soils for golf courses, golf driving ranges, or country clubs; provides institutional lender protections for mortgaged leases