HB 1076

Abstract

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, notwithstanding other specified county property leasing provisions, upon majority vote, the county board may lease farmland acquired or held by the county for any term not exceeding 99 years. Provides that farmland may be leased to either public or private entities for the public purpose of financially supporting the operations of the government at any time or times and on any terms and conditions that the county board deems best for the interest of the county, including, but not limited to, crop-sharing arrangements. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that, upon three-fourths vote (rather than a majority vote), the county board may lease farmland acquired or held by the county for any term not exceeding 5 years (rather than 99 years). Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Removes a requirement that the county board may authorize any county officer to make leases for terms not exceeding 2 years in a manner determined by the Board. In provisions relating to leasing farmland, provides that, upon three-fourths vote by the full county board (rather than three-fourths vote), the county board may lease farmland acquired or held by the county for any term not exceeding 5 years, removes a requirement that the lease must be for a specified purpose, provides that the lease may be made via a cash lease, crop-sharing arrangement, or custom farming arrangement, adds requirements relating to the bid process for farmland leases, and provides that counties shall not acquire farmland for the sole purpose of entering into a cash lease, crop-sharing arrangement, or custom farming arrangement or other speculative purpose.