Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §55, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 478, §1, is amended by adding a new paragraph at the end to read:

In addition, prior to the sale, purchase or exchange of abutting land, the prospective seller or agent shall deliver to the prospective purchaser a notice that states the following:

"It is the policy of this State and this community to conserve, protect and encourage the development and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and other products, and also for its natural and ecological value.__This notice is to inform prospective residents that the property they are about to acquire abuts registered farmland and that farming activities occur upon that land.__ Those farming activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause noise, dust and odors."

SUMMARY

Following language enacted in the State of New York, this bill requires that prospective purchasers of land abutting registered farmland receive notice of the characteristics of farming activities in that area.