Resolve, To Enhance Agriculture and Fanning
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 1444
Committee Amendment CA_A_H533 (House)
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "n " 
to H.P. 1058, L.D. 1444, "Resolve, To 
Enhance Agriculture and Fanning" 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title and before the summary 
and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Department of Environmental Protection to review restrictions on 
bringing land into agricultural production. Resolved: That the Department of 
Environmental Protection, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall review 
provisions in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, chapter 3, subchapter I, articles 2-B 
and 5-A and rules authorized under those articles that affect a person's ability to clear or 
till land for agriculture. 
For the purposes of this resolve, "agriculture" means the 
production, keeping or maintenance for sale or lease of plants or animals, including but 
not limited to: forage and sod crops; grain and seed crops; dairy animals and dairy 
products; poultry and poultry products; livestock; fruits and vegetables; and ornamental 
and greenhouse products. 
The department, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources, shall solicit input from farmers and representatives of agricultural associations 
when reviewing its rules. The department shall examine the setbacks in which tilling of 
soil is prohibited and consider options to allow land fonnerly used for forage crops and 
pasture to return to those uses; and be it further 
Sec. 2. 
Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry. Resolved: That the department shall report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than January 15, 
2012 on its findings upon completion of the review under section 1 and recommendations 
for actions to increase land available for agricultural uses in an environmentally 
responsible manner; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Appropriations and allocations. 
Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF 
. Page I - 125LR0550(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
.. to H.P. 1058, L.D. 1444 
Land and Water Quality 0248 
Initiative: Appropriates funds on a one-time basis for the Department of Environmental 
Protection to review statutes and rules including setbacks and forage and pasture 
regulations that restrict use of lands for agricultural purposes, to consult with the 
Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, to solicit data from farmers and 
agricultural associations and to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature 
no later than January 15,2012. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2011-12 
$3,000 
$3,000 
2012-13 . 
$0 
$0 
This amendment replaces the directive to the Department of Conset:Vation with a 
directive to the Department of Environmental Protection to review statutes and rules that 
restrict the use of certain lands for agricultural purposes and to report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on its findings. It also 
adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 06/02111 frac.. 
LD 1444 
LR550(02) 
Resolve, To Enhance Agriculture and Farming 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment '~" 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
FY 2011-12 
FY 2012-13 
Projections 
FY 2013-14 
Projections 
FY 2014-15 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
"'-. Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
$3,000 
$3,000 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
$0 
This bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $3,000 in fiscal year 2011-12 for the Department of 
Environmental Protection to review statutes and rules that restrict use oflands for agricultural purposes, to consult 
with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, to solicit data from farmers and agricultural 
associations and to report findings and recommendations to increase agricultural uses oflands in an environmentally 
responsible manner to the legislature by January 15,2012. 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with consulting with the 
Department of Environmental Protection on these issues can be absorbed with existing staff and within existing 
budgeted resources. 
LR0550(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I