House Sponsors: WINTERS-SLONE-LINDNER-SCOTT-WIRSING, LAWFER, STROGER, HOLBROOK, GASH AND ERWIN. Senate Sponsors: RAUSCHENBERGER Short description: AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act. Provides that a county board shall grant a preference to the recommendation of the landowners in reviewing agricultural areas. Provides that a petition for dissolution of an agricultural area may be submitted during the year (now 120 days) before the 10-year anniversary of the creation of the area and must be signed by a ma- jority (now two-thirds) of the landowners. Provides that the Depart- ment of Agriculture must develop an incentive program for land ste- wardship that pays up to 75% of the costs of assistance to form, ex- pand, maintain, or renew agricultural areas. Provides that landowners within an agricultural area may not be subjected to a nuisance suit based on the designation or maintenance of the land as an agricultural area. Amends the Farmland Preservation Act. Defines prime farmland. Provides that agency notification of a capital project must include an alternate plan that minimizes or eliminates conversion of prime farmland. Provides that an agency may not initiate a project without the Director of Agriculture's determination of Act compliance. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes reference to: 505 ILCS 75/2 505 ILCS 75/4 505 ILCS 75/5 Provides that landowners within an agricultural area may not be subjected to a civil suit. Provides that the protection does not apply to suits for the prohibition of contaminant discharge under the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture may give technical assistance and provide other resources if the land owners are subjected to any other private civil action. Deletes the amendatory changes in the Farmland Preservation Act. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Adds reference to: 505 ILCS 5/12 from Ch. 5, par. 1012 505 ILCS 5/13 from Ch. 5, par. 1013 Deletes everything. Reinstates the provisions of the bill as amended. Further amends the Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act. Establishes additional procedures for county boards creating designated agricultural areas within their counties. Changes some of the existing procedures to be followed by county boards in creating agricultural areas. Adds additional factors to be considered in deciding whether to create agricultural areas and by persons seeking withdrawal of land from those areas. Creates additional provisions with regard to the filing of petitions to dissolve an agricultural area. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Changes the designation of a proposal to a "petition". Provides that the Department shall pay stewardship costs or provide civil suit assistance. Restores the provisions concerning adding land to agricul- tural areas. Effective immediately. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 3 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status