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SB 689

Land use: farmland and open space; relinquishment of farmland from development rights agreements; expand legal arrangements triggering. Amends sec. 36111 of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36111). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0688'25, SB 0690'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0685'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Cherry and 4 co-sponsors

Michigan law expanded legal pathways allowing farmland owners to exit agricultural preservation agreements, balancing conservation goals against property owner flexibility rights.

ASSIGNED PA 0072'25 WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
#landuse:farmlandandopenspace
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Bill Summary · SB 689

Legislative bill overview

SB 689 amends Michigan's land use law to expand the circumstances under which landowners can exit farmland preservation agreements and development rights programs. The bill modifies Section 36111 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to create additional legal pathways for relinquishing farmland from these restrictive covenants.

Why is this important

Farmland preservation agreements lock properties into agricultural use for extended periods, restricting owner options for decades. This bill affects whether landowners can exit these agreements, impacting land values, agricultural preservation goals, and development patterns across Michigan's rural and transitional areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Agricultural preservation vs. property rights: Expansion of exit mechanisms may undermine long-term farmland conservation goals by making agreements less binding, while supporters argue owners shouldn't be permanently locked into restrictions they may later regret
  • Market and valuation impacts: Easier exit options could increase speculative development pressure on agricultural land and destabilize the agricultural land market, or conversely, may increase farmland appeal by reducing permanent restrictions
  • Tied legislation complexity: The bill's tie-bar with five companion bills (SB 685-690) suggests this is part of a broader farmland policy overhaul whose full implications require examining all related measures together

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

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