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Senate debates Greenbelt overhaul; amendments pass and bill left on unfinished business
Summary
The Utah Senate spent hours on SB45, a Farmland Assessment Act amendment that replaces a $1,000 gross-income test with production-based thresholds, triggers periodic filings, and narrows developer exceptions. Supporters said it curbs abuse; opponents warned it could harm small landholders and prompt legal challenges. The bill was left on unfinished business after multiple floor amendments were adopted.
Senate Bill 45, a package of amendments to the Farmland Assessment Act often referred to as the "Greenbelt" law, drew extended floor debate Feb. 3 as the Utah Senate moved into a committee of the whole to hear testimony and consider amendments.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Hilliard, opened the discussion by calling witnesses and asking the body to hear from county and agricultural representatives. The measure would remove the old $1,000 gross‑income threshold and replace it with a definition of "actively devoted to agriculture" measured by county production values and a floor of about 50 percent of typical production in a county; it also requires periodic filing and includes provisions aimed at limiting misuse in platted subdivisions.
Why it matters: The Greenbelt provisions affect property tax treatment for thousands of parcels across Utah. Supporters say the amendments will protect legitimate farming and close loopholes used to obtain preferential tax treatment for nonagricultural uses. Opponents say the…
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