SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1337        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1855

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Edward J. Kennedy

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Edward J. Kennedy

First Middlesex

 

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

2/22/2023

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

4/3/2023

Joan B. Lovely

Second Essex

4/14/2023

Vanna Howard

17th Middlesex

6/29/2023


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1337        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1855

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1855) of Edward J. Kennedy and James B. Eldridge for legislation to promote urban agriculture and horticulture.  Revenue.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1893 OF 2021-2022.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act to promote urban agriculture and horticulture.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following clause: -

Fifty-ninth. Up to 100 percent of the assessed value of real estate in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use, as those terms are defined in sections 1 and 2 of chapter 61A, provided that the real estate or portion thereof in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use is less than 2 acres in area; provided further, that gross sales of agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural products resulting from such uses together total not less than $500 in the previous year. The exemption provided in this clause shall apply only to the portion of real estate in agricultural, horticultural or agricultural and horticultural use. This clause shall take effect in any city or town upon acceptance of this section; provided, that such city or town has a population of at least 50,000 inhabitants or meets the definition of a gateway municipality under section 3A of chapter 23A. The legislative body of any city or town that accepts this clause shall establish and may thereafter modify the percentage of the assessed value exempt from taxation and may determine whether rooftop and container farm operations shall be eligible for said exemption.