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HB 126

An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in nomination of candidates, further providing for affidavits of candidates and for nominations by political bodies.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Russ Diamond and 6 co-sponsors

The bill requires local agricultural advisory boards to hold hearings and issue findings before any condemnation or rezoning of farmland in VADs, with a 120-day pause before action

Referred to State Government
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Bill Summary · HB 126

Summary — HB 126: Revise Voluntary Agricultural District Laws (North Carolina)

Status: Ratified / Session Law 2025‑12. Signed by Governor. Effective October 1, 2025. Applies to condemnation or rezoning actions initiated on or after that date.

Purpose

To strengthen public participation and require additional local review before State or local government agencies may initiate condemnation or rezoning of farmland located in Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) or Enhanced VADs. The change is intended to ensure agricultural advisory boards evaluate proposed takings or rezoning and to allow time for alternatives to be considered.

Key provisions and changes

  • Amends G.S. 106‑740 (Voluntary Agricultural District statutes).
  • Expands the prior condemnation-only review requirement to include proposed rezoning of qualifying farmland within VADs or Enhanced VADs.
  • Requires that a State or local public agency requesting to condemn or rezone qualifying farmland must request the local agricultural advisory board (established under G.S. 106‑739) to hold a public hearing on the proposal.
  • After the hearing, the advisory board must prepare and submit written findings and a recommendation to the agency or decision‑making body proposing the action.
  • Timelines:
    • The designated advisory board has 45 days after receiving the request to hold the public hearing and submit its written findings and recommendation.
    • The proposing agency may not formally initiate a condemnation or rezoning action until 120 days after the date the advisory board submits its findings and recommendations (i.e., a pause is imposed to allow consideration of the board’s input and potential alternatives).
  • The statute is effective statewide and applies to actions initiated on or after October 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Landowners and farmers with land enrolled in Voluntary Agricultural Districts or Enhanced VADs.
  • Local agricultural advisory boards (G.S. 106‑739) — new/expanded duties and timelines for hearings and written recommendations.
  • State and local public agencies and governmental units that pursue condemnation (eminent domain) or rezoning of qualifying farmland — must seek board hearings and wait prescribed periods before initiating actions.
  • Local governments and planning/zoning bodies involved in rezoning decisions.
  • Developers and infrastructure project sponsors whose timelines may be affected.

Procedural and practical impacts

  • Increases mandatory local review and public participation before condemnation or rezoning of protected farmland.
  • Introduces delays (minimum 120‑day pause after board submission) that could extend project schedules for public acquisitions or rezoning proposals, allowing time to explore alternatives to acquisition or rezoning.
  • Imposes operational responsibilities on advisory boards (holding hearings, producing written findings within 45 days).
  • Likely administrative impact on local boards and agencies; any fiscal effects (costs for meetings, staffing, legal review) will depend on local implementation and are not quantified in the bill text.

Where to read the change

  • Statutory amendment: G.S. 106‑740 (as revised by HB 126 / Session Law 2025‑12). Effective date and applicability: October 1, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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