Amends State Constitution to decrease acreage required for farmland assessment with certain requirements for valuing farmland under five acres in area.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Sauickie

ACR 172: Amending State Constitution to Decrease Farmland Assessment Acreage OverviewBill Number: ACR 172 Title: Amends State Constitution to decrease acreage required for farmlan

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

#farmland

Overview

Bill Number: ACR 172
Title: Amends State Constitution to decrease acreage required for farmland assessment with certain requirements for valuing farmland under five acres in area.
Status: Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
Introduced: July 24, 2025
Classification: Concurrent Resolution
Subject: Farmland

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of ACR 172 is to amend the state constitution to lower the minimum acreage requirement for farmland to qualify for special property tax assessment. This change is intended to provide tax relief and incentives for smaller-scale farming operations, helping to preserve and promote local agricultural production on smaller parcels of land.

Key Provisions

Decreases the minimum acreage requirement for farmland assessment from 10 acres to 5 acres

Requires the state to establish specific criteria and valuation methods for assessing farmland under 5 acres in size

Mandates that the state's farmland assessment program account for the unique characteristics and economic viability of smaller-scale farming operations

Directs the state to provide additional tax credits or exemptions for farmland owners who meet certain sustainability, conservation, or community benefit standards

Affected Parties and Impacts

Owners of farmland between 5-10 acres in size would newly qualify for the state's preferential farmland assessment program, reducing their property tax burden

Smaller-scale and urban farmers operating on parcels under 5 acres would gain access to the farmland assessment program through new valuation criteria

Local governments may see a modest decrease in property tax revenue from farmland parcels, but could benefit from preserved open space and local food production

The state agriculture department would be responsible for developing new farmland assessment rules and guidelines for smaller acreages

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

ACR 172 has been introduced in the state Assembly and referred to the Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee for initial consideration. If approved by the committee and the full Assembly, the concurrent resolution would then move to the state Senate for further review and voting.

If ultimately passed by the legislature, ACR 172 would amend the state constitution, requiring approval by voter referendum before taking effect. The soonest this constitutional amendment could appear on the ballot would be the next general election, currently scheduled for November 2026.