THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY STURLA, HARHAI, SIPTROTH, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, D. COSTA, JOSEPHS, MAHONEY, McILVAINE SMITH, MELIO, MUNDY, K. SMITH AND YOUNGBLOOD, JULY 2, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, JULY 2, 2009  

AN ACT

Amending the act of December 19, 1974 (P.L.973, No.319),

entitled "An act prescribing the procedure under which an

owner may have land devoted to agricultural use, agricultural

reserve use, or forest reserve use, valued for tax purposes

at the value it has for such uses, and providing for

reassessment and certain interest payments when such land is

applied to other uses and making editorial changes," further

providing for applications for preferential assessments.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 4 of the act of December 19, 1974

(P.L.973, No.319), known as the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest

Land Assessment Act of 1974, is amended by adding a subsection

to read:

Section 4.  Applications for Preferential Assessments.--* * *

(b.4)  (1)  An application for preferential assessment shall

include a verification that the landowner has a current erosion

and sediment control plan. A landowner with an existing

preferential assessment shall submit verification that the

landowner has a current erosion and sediment control plan no

later than four years after the effective date of this

subsection. The department shall develop a verification form,

which shall require the signature of the landowner and a person

qualified to develop or review erosion and sediment control

plans.

(2)  For purposes of this subsection, "erosion and sediment

control plan" means a site specific plan identifying best

management practices to minimize accelerated erosion and

sedimentation from agricultural runoff that meets the

requirements of 25 Pa. Code Ch. 102 (relating to erosion and

sediment control).

* * *

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.