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)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
LMF can protect more land types
The program now covers more kinds of property interests, including conservation, access, and scenic easements and 99‑year or longer leases. The program may buy full ownership of land whose main use has been and will stay commercial forestry. All interests bought with program money must be checked for rare species, special natural communities, historic features, and other top resources, and must be managed to protect them.
New option keeps farmland affordable
The law creates a new recorded option to purchase at agricultural value to keep working farmland available and affordable. Government bodies and Maine nonprofits that protect farmland can hold these options. The option’s main purpose is to keep farms in working use at prices farmers can afford.
LMF grants: broader access, 1:1 match
The Land for Maine’s Future board can award grants to more cooperating entities, not just specially designated ones. Grant recipients must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar match to the grant. When deciding funding, the board considers listed statewide-significance criteria like recreation, habitat, access, water supply protection, and deer wintering areas. After negotiations set a final award, the board publishes a newspaper notice naming the land and takes public comments.
Rules to record and enforce farm options
A qualified holder must accept the option in writing. The option must be recorded at the county registry, and a copy with a map must be filed with the agriculture department. Options can set a resale price or formula, cap equity growth, limit uses or improvements, give a first‑purchase right, and allow inspections, to keep long‑term affordability, including for beginning farmers (10 years or less of farm operation). Options last indefinitely unless a court finds that enforcing them no longer serves the public interest. Courts can enforce, modify, or end options, and the Attorney General is a party with the department notified. Options stay valid even with technical defects, and the chapter applies to new options and some older ones unless retroactive use would be unconstitutional.
Annual conservation report and $80 fee
Each holder of a conservation easement and each fee owner of land held for conservation, if organized or doing business in Maine, must file a yearly report with the department and the town. Reports list acres protected and acres exempt from property tax without payments in lieu of taxes and include mapped locations on department forms. You must pay an $80 fee each year with the certification. The department keeps a permanent public record, can map the data, and reports noncompliance to the Attorney General.
Tighter rules on selling conserved land
The State cannot sell or repurpose fee‑owned land bought under the program unless two‑thirds of the Legislature approves. The Bureau of Parks and Lands Director, with the Governor and Commissioner’s approval, may grant or sell access easements across certain rail trails under set criteria. When the board shares written information with other agencies, it may notify landowners, but it is not required to.
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
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 471
7/1/2025On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.
6/25/2025SenateOn motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
6/3/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/2/2025HouseCONSENT 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.
6/2/2025HouseReport 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.
6/2/2025SenateCARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.
3/21/2025SenateReceived 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
Amendment C-A (S-189), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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