HB 1154

Bill Subjects

Agencies; Department Of Agriculture (Isda) Agriculture; Generally County Government Local Elected Officials; Assessors Property; Assessors (Non-Elected) Property; Eminent Domain Property; Real Estate

Abstract

Creates the Hoosier homestead farm program administered by the Indiana state department of agriculture (department) to: (1) commemorate as Hoosier homestead farms, those properties that have been owned by the same family for at least 100 years; and (2) maintain an electronic registry of Hoosier homestead farms. With certain exceptions, provides that if a public project involves condemnation of a Hoosier homestead farm, the Indiana land resources council (council) must approve condemnation of the farm before the condemnor may take steps to acquire any other property for the project. Provides that the council may only approve a condemnation if the council finds that: (1) there is no feasible and prudent alternative to using the Hoosier homestead farm for the project; and (2) condemnation of the Hoosier homestead farm would not have an unreasonably adverse effect upon the preservation and enhancement of agriculture within the county. Requires a real estate sales disclosure form to: (1) indicate transfers of Hoosier homestead farms and the familial relationships (if any) between transferors and transferees; and (2) requires the local assessor to forward the forms to the department for use in updating the Hoosier homestead farms registry.