2021 Legislative Priorities

Each year, WLA’s Steering Committee sets its policy priorities to guide our coalition’s advocacy efforts. We work together with our partners to advance legislation and policy initiatives that protect our working lands, creating farmland access opportunities for the next generation, cultivating climate-smart agricultural practices, and promote agricultural viability.

FUNDING FOR FARMLAND PROTECTION

1. Maintain the integrity and full funding levels for the Community Investment Act
2. Continue Farmland Preservation and Community Farms Funding as needed
   • WLA Testimony on Governor Lamonts Budget

LEGISLATIVE ACTION WE SUPPORT IN 2021

1. Amend farmland preservation statute to streamline oversight concerning the purchase of development rights program and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s farmland preservation program.
   • S.B. 388 – An Act Concerning the Responsibilities of the State Properties Review Board Concerning the Purchase of Agricultural Development Rights

2. Support enabling legislation providing municipalities with an option to establish a limited buyer’s conveyance fee program to fund local environmental and land-use programs, including open space and farmland acquisition and stewardship.
   • H.B. 5100 – An Act Authorizing a Property Conveyance Fee for Open Space Purposes
   • H.B. 6441- An Act Concerning Climate Change Adaptation

3. Support increasing purchase amount for Buy-Protect-Sell from $2 million to $5 million.
   • S.B. 471 – An Act Concerning Funding for the Purchase of Agricultural Real Estate by the State

4. Support personal income tax exemption for individuals who sell their agricultural development rights.
   • S.B. 153- An Act Exempting from the Personal Income Tax Proceeds from the Sale of Agricultural Land Development Rights to the State

5. Support changes to CT DEEP/PURA RFPs for Renewable Energy Proposals that further disincentivize the location of large-scale solar arrays on active prime farmland or core forests. This may include provisions for 2:1 mitigation by restoration, purchase of easements, or other mechanisms that may be considered, especially if located in the same agricultural community and support beginning farmer access and climate adaptation and Amend the CT Siting Council, Gen. Stat. §16-50j, et seq. to include a representative with background and knowledge of agriculture.
   • H.B. 5175- An Act Concerning the Siting of Solar Facilities on Certain Farmlands
   • H.B. 6438 – An Act Concerning the Siting of Solar Facilities on Certain Farmlands and Forests. 
   • Promoting Smarter Solar Siting for the Future of Connecticut’s Working Lands. (3)

6. Support incentives for schools and other public institutions to procure more CT Grown products, including CT Grown Forest products.
   • H.B. 5767 – An Act Concerning Farm to School Programs

7. Support updating the Soil Conservation title (Title 22a) to include Soil Health and climate change.
   • S.B. 467 – An Act Concerning Soil Health
8. Support efforts that increase the profitability of farms.
   • H.B. 6101 – An Act Concerning Various Issues Related to the Liquor Control Act. 
   • WLA’s Testimony

For more information about our 2021 Legislative Priorities, please reach out to our Working Lands Alliance Director — Chelsea Gazillo at cgazillo@farmland.org