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A 1444

Provides that the entire parcel of land shall be eligible for an agricultural assessment when at least 85% of a single parcel of land is used for agricultural production

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Eachus

If 85% of a single parcel is used for agricultural production, the entire parcel qualifies for an agricultural assessment, affecting landowners, assessors, and local governments.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · A 1444

Summary of Assembly Bill A 1444 (2025)

A 1444 seeks to change how land is eligible for agricultural assessment by applying a threshold based on the percentage of a parcel used for agricultural production.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill provides that if at least 85% of a single parcel of land is used for agricultural production, the entire parcel becomes eligible for an agricultural assessment.
  • The intent appears to simplify or broaden eligibility for property tax treatment available to farmland by allowing parcels with high agricultural use to receive the agricultural assessment on the full parcel, not just the portions actively used for farming.

Key provisions

  • Eligibility trigger: Parcel must be a single, identifiable parcel in a unit of land, and at least 85% of its area must be used for agricultural production.
  • Resulting coverage: If the threshold is met, the entire parcel qualifies for an agricultural assessment (i.e., the lower taxation/valuation regime applicable to agricultural land would apply to the whole parcel).
  • Threshold basis: The 85% trigger is based on land area; the standard for what counts as “agricultural production” would rely on existing definitions and criteria in current law (specific definitions are not provided in the summary materials).
  • Administrative process: The bill text referenced a certification/verification process typical for agricultural assessments, though specific procedures (applications, recertifications, or timelines) are not detailed in the provided information.

Who would be affected

  • Landowners with parcels that are predominantly used for agricultural production (≥85%) and that are currently treated under agricultural assessment rules.
  • Owners of mixed-use parcels where 85% of land is farmed but the parcel contains non-farm uses (habitable structures, buffers, or other non-agricultural uses) that would become eligible for the agricultural assessment for the entire parcel if the threshold is met.
  • Local assessors and tax administrators responsible for implementing agricultural assessments and determining eligibility.
  • Municipalities and local governments, given potential effects on property tax revenues and assessment rolls.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 9, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture.
  • Version notes show two identical entries for the referral date (2025-01-09).
  • No explicit effective date or transition timeline is provided in the available information (that would typically appear in the enacted bill or its implementing language).

Legislative context

  • Primary sponsor: Christopher Eachus.
  • Related bill: A 8388 (from a prior session), indicating similar or related policy considerations may have been explored previously.

Potential considerations and questions

  • How “agricultural production” is defined and measured for purposes of the 85% threshold (area-based vs. activity-based criteria).
  • Impacts on property tax revenue for municipalities, especially if large parcels with minor non-agricultural uses become fully agricultural-assessed.
  • Administrative burden on local assessors to verify and recertify eligibility, and any required documentation or affidavits from landowners.
  • Potential incentives for landowners to reclassify or optimize land uses to meet the threshold.

This summary covers the core purpose, provisions, affected parties, and procedural status based on the bill’s available text and metadata.

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

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