OH HB460

Exempts qualifying riparian buffers (strips of land 35-100 feet wide bordering water or wetlands) in the Western Basin of Lake Erie from property taxation if approved by the Director of Agriculture.

Requires the state to reimburse local taxing units for revenue losses resulting from the riparian buffer exemption through payments from the general revenue fund.

Directs soil and water conservation districts to provide assistance to landowners upon request for creating and maintaining riparian buffers on their land.

Establishes that once approved, the exemption continues for subsequent tax years without re-application unless there is a change in ownership or the land no longer qualifies as a riparian buffer.

Allows the Director of Agriculture to levy back charges plus penalties and interest on exempted land that fails to maintain riparian buffer status and is not timely reported by the owner.