16100660D
SENATE BILL NO. 252
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- January 26, 2016
A BILL to amend and reenact §3.2-105 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-1105.1, relating to the century forest program.
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Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senator Ruff; Delegate: Wright
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §3.2-105 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 10.1-1105.1 as follows:

§3.2-105. Century farm program.

The Commissioner shall establish a century farm program to honor farm families in the Commonwealth whose property has been in the same family for 100 years or more. In order to be eligible for recognition under the program, a farm shall: (i) have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years; (ii) be lived on, or actually farmed, by, a descendent descendant of the original owners; and (iii) gross more than $2,500 annually from the sale of farm products. At the discretion of the Commissioner, a farm that does not gross more than $2,500 annually but is being used for a bona fide silvicultural purpose may be recognized under the program.

§10.1-1105.1. Century forest program.

The State Forester shall establish and administer a century forest program to honor families in the Commonwealth whose property has been in the same family for 100 years or more and includes at least 20 contiguous acres of managed forest. In order to be eligible for recognition under the program, a property shall (i) have been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years; (ii) be lived on, or actually managed by, a descendant of the original owners; and (iii) [ be covered by a professional forest management plan designed to meet the landowner's forest management goals have a documented history of timber harvests or forest management activities ] .