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2000 SESSION
HB 552 Protection of farm and forest lands.
Introduced by: R. Creigh Deeds | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles | history
SUMMARY AS PASSED:
Protection of farm and forest lands. Revises the Important Farmlands law, which requires state agencies to evaluate the impacts of their actions on farm and forest lands. The bill replaces the definition of “important farmlands” with a set of characteristics that are exhibited by farm and forest lands that are worthy of protection, and clarifies that the requirement of evaluating impacts on farm and forest lands applies to highway and road construction projects. With regard to state agency farmland protection plans, the bill requires annual updates, review by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and that the Secretary submit an annual report to the standing committees of jurisdiction in the General Assembly. This is a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Virginia’s Environment. This bill is identical to SB396.
SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:
Protection of farm and forest lands. Revises the Important Farmlands law, which requires state agencies to evaluate the impacts of their actions on farm and forest lands. The bill replaces the definition of “important farmlands” with a set of characteristics that are exhibited by farm and forest lands that are worthy of protection, and clarifies that the requirement of evaluating impacts on farm and forest lands applies to highway and road construction projects. With regard to state agency farmland protection plans, the bill requires annual updates, review by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and that the Secretary submit an annual report to the standing committees of jurisdiction in the General Assembly. This is a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Virginia’s Environment.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Protection of farm and forest lands. Revises the Important Farmlands law, which requires state agencies to evaluate the impacts of their actions on farm and forest lands. The bill replaces the definition of “important farmlands” with a set of characteristics that are exhibited by farm and forest lands that are worthy of protection, and clarifies that the requirement of evaluating impacts on farm and forest lands applies to highway and road construction projects. With regard to state agency farmland protection plans, the bill requires annual updates, review by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, and that the Secretary submit an annual report to the standing committees of jurisdiction in the General Assembly. This is a recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Virginia’s Environment.