HB 2795 - DIGEST

     Finds that the growth management act's requirements related to agricultural lands have substantially limited options to respond to the economic decline of some family farms.  The growth management act provides for comprehensive planning at the local government level to guide the appropriate uses of land in consideration of local circumstances.  However, the growth management act's requirements for local governments to designate agricultural lands and provisions regarding zoning for agricultural lands has effectively precluded land uses other than agriculture, even when agriculture is not economically viable.

     Declares an intent to authorize local governments to afford some land use flexibility to those family farm owners and operators experiencing significant economic distress.  The legislature also intends to authorize this flexibility for a limited period to allow a sufficient response time for these farm families while still preserving for the long term the planning and zoning systems established for agricultural lands under the growth management act.