House Sponsors: SLONE-WINTERS-LINDNER-SCOTT-LAWFER, WIRSING, STROGER, HOLBROOK, GASH AND ERWIN. Short description: LOC GOVT-OPEN SPACE RIGHTS ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the County and Municipal Open Space Law. Authorizes the acquisition of open space areas for the preservation and maintenance of open land, scenic roadways, and pathways. After a public hearing, authorizes adoption by referendum of an open space plan granting the authority to (i) acquire open space land by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, (ii) issue bonds for open space purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the valuation of taxable property, and (iii) levy a tax to pay the principal of and interest on those bonds. Creates the Farmland Development Rights Law. Establishes procedures authorizing owners of designated property to transfer development rights of farmland in an amount and subject to conditions imposed by the unit of local government. Defines "development rights". Authorizes a governing authority or its governmental designees to accept, for deposit within a development rights bank, gifts, donations, bequests, or other transfers of development rights from the owners of farmland. Provides that transfers from the development rights bank are subject to the unit of local government's requirements concerning the transfer of real property. FISCAL NOTE (Dept. of Agriculture) HB211 will have no direct fiscal impact on the Department. FISCAL NOTE (Dept. of Natural Resources) HB211 has no fiscal impact on the Department. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status