HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2562        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Vanna Howard and Hannah Kane

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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.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2562        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2852 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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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 2021 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.