PRINTER'S NO. 642
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
583
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY AUMENT, VOGEL, BARTOLOTTA, REGAN, SANTARSIERO,
J. WARD, MARTIN, STEFANO AND FOLMER, APRIL 25, 2019
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, APRIL 25, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), entitled "An
act authorizing the creation of agricultural areas," further
providing for definitions and for purchase of agricultural
conservation easements.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3 of the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128,
No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, is amended
by adding definitions to read:
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Agritourism activity." Farm-related tourism or farm-related
entertainment activity that:
(1) takes place on a farm where agricultural,
horticultural or silvicultural crops are grown or farm
animals, rural animals or farmed fish are raised; and
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(2) allows members of the general public, whether or not
for a fee, to tour, explore, observe, learn about,
participate in or be entertained by an aspect of agricultural
production, harvesting, husbandry or rural lifestyle that
occurs on the farm.
"Anticipated yearly gross income." Gross income normally
expected to be generated in one year, without occurrence of a
natural disaster or other occurrence or condition beyond the
operator's reasonable control.
* * *
"Farm." An operation commercially engaged in agriculture
that:
(1) is 10 or more acres in contiguous area; or
(2) has an anticipated yearly gross income of at least
$2,000 from agricultural production.
* * *
Section 2. Section 14.1(c)(6)(v) of the act is amended and
paragraph (6) is amended by adding a subparagraph to read:
Section 14.1. Purchase of agricultural conservation easements.
* * *
(c) Restrictions and limitations.--An agricultural
conservation easement shall be subject to the following terms,
conditions, restrictions and limitations:
* * *
(6) An agricultural conservation easement shall not
prevent:
* * *
(v) Customary part-time or off-season minor or rural
enterprises and activities, other than agritourism
activities, which are provided for in the county
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Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program
approved by the State board under subsection (d).
* * *
(vii) An agritourism activity that:
(A) is incidental to a farm's agricultural use;
(B) does not render a portion of the restricted
land incapable of being immediately converted to
agricultural use; and
(C) has been deemed to be an agritourism
activity by a county board. The following shall
apply:
(I) If an application is received at least
seven days prior to the next scheduled meeting of
a county board, the application shall be
considered at the scheduled meeting.
(II) If an application is received less than
seven days prior to the next scheduled meeting of
a county board, the application shall be
considered at the next meeting subsequent to the
scheduled meeting.
* * *
Section 3. The amendment of section 14.1(c)(6) of the act
shall apply to agricultural conservation easements executed
after June 29, 1981.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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