Committee advances bill to remove special assessment for farmland used in illegal marijuana cultivation

The House Committee on Revenue on June 13 moved Senate Bill 347A to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill would disqualify farmland from the special assessment program if the owner receives a civil penalty or is found guilty of illegally growing marijuana.

A committee presenter summarized prior hearings and the bill's core provisions, saying the measure "disqualifies farmland from the special assessment program if the owner receives a civil penalty before or is found guilty of illegally growing marijuana, makes exceptions to the disqualification under certain circumstances, and the disqualification applies only to the portion of the land under special assessment." The presenter added that, upon disqualification, payment of up to 10 years of back taxes is required.

The presenter told the committee that the bill had passed earlier work sessions in the Senate and that committee paperwork is available in OLIS. Representative Hudson moved the bill to the floor; the motion passed and Representative Marsh agreed to serve as carrier.

Committee discussion referenced the limited scope of disqualification (only the portion under special assessment) and noted statutory exceptions included in the draft bill; staff did not report any recorded public testimony during the work session.