HB 2601

Abstract

Amends the Real Property Conservation Rights Act. Provides that a conservation right may be amended or modified from time to time only by a written instrument executed by the grantor and grantee and recorded with the office of the recorder of deeds of the county in which the land is located. Provides that either party may, in the absolute discretion of the party, withhold consent to any amendment or modification requested by the other party. Provides that an amendment or modification shall not materially and adversely affect the conservation purposes of the conservation right or facilitate the extinguishment of the conservation right. Provides that the consent of any party other than the grantor and grantee is not required for amendment or modification, even if the other party is entitled to enforce an easement. Provides that the conservation right may contain other requirements for amendment or modification, and such other requirements shall control. Provides that a unit of local government has the authority to grant a conservation right on property that it owns to another unit of government or to a not-for-profit corporation or trust that meets certain criteria. Provides that an action to enforce a conservation right may be brought by any party entitled to enforce the conservation right against a nonowner who is violating the terms of the conservation right. Provides that a notice of violation may be recorded by the holder of the conservation right against any property that the holder of the conservation right reasonably determines is in violation of the conservation right. Provides that a conservation right shall not be extinguished by adverse possession, a claim of abandonment, or merger, and may be extinguished only by such procedure as may be set forth in the conservation right or by a release of the conservation right in accordance with the terms of the conservation right. Provides that no prescriptive easement shall be established that adversely impacts the conservation values protected by the conservation right. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Deletes language providing that a notice of violation may be recorded by the holder of the conservation right against any property that the holder of the conservation right reasonably determines is in violation of the conservation right. Provides instead that if the holder of a conservation right reasonably determines that there is a violation of the right, the holder of the conservation right may record a notice of violation against the property for which the conservation right applies. Effective immediately.