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LC 2866

Generally revise laws related to conservation easements

2025 Regular Session

LC 2866 would generally revise conservation easement laws, clarifying creation, monitoring, and enforcement, affecting landowners, easement holders, and tax incentives; draft died.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 2866

LC 2866 — Generally revise laws related to conservation easements

Quick summary

  • Bill number: LC 2866
  • Title: Generally revise laws related to conservation easements
  • Subject: Property
  • Introduced: December 11, 2024
  • Status: Draft Died in Process (LC)
  • Legislative actions:
    • 2024-12-11: Drafter Assigned; Draft On Hold
    • 2025-05-27: Draft Died in Process

Note: The available materials do not include the bill’s full text. The summary below describes the bill’s apparent scope based on the title and standard topics in conservation easement legislation, as well as the implications of its stated status.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill’s title indicates it aims to “generally revise laws related to conservation easements.” While the exact provisions are not provided, such bills typically seek to update or harmonize state law governing the creation, administration, monitoring, enforcement, and termination of conservation easements, which are legal agreements that restrict land use to protect conservation values (habitat, water quality, scenic values, etc.).

Key provisions you would expect (based on the topic)

Because the text is not available, the following are common areas such bills address rather than confirmed provisions for LC 2866:
- Definitions: clarifying terms related to conservation easements, easement holders, and qualified open-space lands.
- Creation and qualification: standards for establishing new easements and eligibility criteria for tax benefits or for the holder (e.g., land trusts, government agencies).
- Monitoring and compliance: duties for ongoing monitoring, reporting requirements, and methods to ensure compliance with easement terms.
- Enforcement and remedies: penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and remedies for violations.
- Duration and termination: rules governing perpetual or term-based restrictions and conditions under which an easement can be modified or terminated.
- Tax implications: alignment with tax incentives or charitable deduction rules associated with conservation easements.
- Public records and transparency: requirements for recording, disclosures, and accessibility of easement information.
- Oversight and administration: roles of state agencies, land trusts, and possible stewardship standards.
- Transfers and succession: rules about transfer of easement stewardship or ownership, including changes in easement holders.

Potential impact and affected entities

  • Landowners and property owners: implications for how land may be used, preserved, or restricted; potential effects on property value and marketability.
  • Easement holders: codified responsibilities, monitoring duties, and enforcement powers.
  • Taxpayers and taxpayers’ benefits: possible changes to eligibility, valuation, and compliance related to conservation-related tax incentives.
  • Local governments and land-use planners: any changes affecting land-use planning, reporting, or cooperative enforcement.
  • Conservation organizations and land trusts: governance standards, reporting, and stewardship requirements.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill was introduced on December 11, 2024, and entered a state of hold shortly thereafter, with a drafter assigned on the same day.
  • The last recorded action shows the draft dying in process on May 27, 2025, indicating it did not advance through the legislative pipeline in that session.
  • “Died in Process” generally means the bill did not move to passage or be enacted; it could be revisited or reintroduced in a future session.

Next steps for readers

  • If interested in the bill’s specifics, check the official legislative database or the sponsor’s documentation for the amended or final text.
  • Monitor for potential reintroduction or similar bills in future sessions, especially if conservation easement policy is a priority for stakeholders.

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

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