H126

North Carolina H126 revises voluntary agricultural district laws to enhance public participation in land use decisions.

North Carolina H126 amends the laws governing voluntary agricultural districts to improve public participation in land use decisions. The bill requires state or local public agencies to request a public hearing from the local agricultural advisory board before initiating any condemnation action on farmland within these districts. The advisory board must hold the hearing within 45 days and submit findings and recommendations to the agency. The agency cannot formally initiate a condemnation action while the proposed condemnation is before the advisory board.