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MaineLD 1072132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Amend the Laws Governing the Land for Maine's Future Program and to Authorize the Use of Options to Purchase at Agricultural Value

Sponsored By: Stacy F. Brenner (Democratic)

Became Law

PUBLIC LANDSPUBLIC LANDS - LAND FOR MAINES FUTURE BOARD

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New options keep farmland affordable

The law creates recordable options to buy farmland at its agricultural value to keep it affordable. Options can cap resale price, limit equity growth, set use and building rules, and give first-refusal rights, with extra help for beginning farmers (10 years or less of farm experience). Options last indefinitely unless a court finds they no longer serve the public interest. You must record them at the county deeds office and also file a copy and map with the Agriculture Department. The document must say when and how the holder can enter the land to check compliance. Fee owners, qualified holders, towns, and the Attorney General can enforce them; courts can change or end them for public‑interest reasons and may order payments. These options are valid even if old property rules would have made them defective.

Broader state land buys, tougher to sell

The program may buy full ownership or long‑term interests, including conservation, access, and scenic easements and leases of at least 99 years. Eligible fee purchases can include commercially managed forest land that meets program criteria. The State holds fee title, but a cooperating entity may manage the land under a lease with required approvals and protections. The State cannot sell or change the use of these fee lands without a two‑thirds vote of the Legislature. The Director may grant access easements across rail trails with the Governor’s and Agriculture Commissioner’s approvals under Title 12, section 1814‑A.

Annual report and $80 conservation fee

Holders of conservation easements and owners of conserved parcels in Maine must file an annual report with the Agriculture Department. Each filing must include book and page, town, protected acres, and acres exempt from local tax, using department forms. An $80 fee must be paid with each annual filing. The Department keeps a public map and records and reports nonfilers to the Attorney General.

Grant matches and stewardship set asides

Grants under the program must be matched dollar for dollar by the recipient. The board adopts routine technical rules for making these grants. If matching funds include cash not from a bond, up to 20% of the appraised value or the cash amount, whichever is less, may go to the state agency’s stewardship account. With a state agency letter of intent, cooperating entities can be reimbursed for direct acquisition costs, up to the appraised value, with payments allowed during the process.

More open land buys and owner notice

Before designating land for negotiation, the board must notify the owner and, after talks finish, publish notice. An owner may file a sworn affidavit refusing to sell; the board then cannot consider the land further unless it plans to use eminent domain. The board must judge projects using listed statewide‑significance factors and agencies must manage acquired lands to protect rare species, special natural areas, and historic features. When the board shares written information about land with other agencies, sending certified‑mail notice to the owner is now optional, not required.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stacy F. Brenner

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 471

    5/1/2026

  2. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    6/25/2025Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    6/3/2025Senate

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-189).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  6. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-189) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-189).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/2/2025Senate

  7. CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025Senate

  8. Received by the Secretary of the Senate on March 14, 2025 and REFERRED to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2

    3/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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