Proposed Rules for Releasing Conservation Easements

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently Died in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

15 actions

Jan 30, 2026House
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
Jan 30, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
Jan 30, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
CS Filed
Jan 29, 2026House
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

Show 9 earlier actions

Jan 28, 2026House
Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
Jan 28, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
Jan 26, 2026House
Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroduced
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
Dec 16, 2025House
Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
Dec 16, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to State Affairs Committee
Dec 16, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
Dec 16, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
Dec 8, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

This legislation would change the legal status of protected land, potentially allowing for new development on parcels previously restricted by s, provided owners pay for environmental mitigation credits.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Property owners of land with conservation easements

They gain a legal pathway to apply for the release of easements on their land, subject to specific conditions and mitigation costs.

Water management districts

They are required to process applications and release easements when the statutory criteria are met.

What changed

Current stage: Died in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill would allow property owners to request the release of s from water management districts if their land meets specific size, location, and mitigation requirements. If released, the land could be developed according to local zoning, provided the owner takes responsibility for all necessary permits and stormwater management.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any conservation easement be released under this bill?

No. The bill only applies to specific parcels under 15 acres that are surrounded by and lack historical or cultural significance. It also excludes residential developments and certain proprietary easements.

What happens to my property taxes if the easement is released?

Upon release, will be calculated based on the just value of the property.

What is a 'proprietary conservation easement'?

The bill defines it as a that was not originally acquired as a condition for a permit.

Why It Matters

This legislation would change the legal status of protected land, potentially allowing for new development on parcels previously restricted by s, provided owners pay for environmental mitigation credits.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Voting Record

Motion succeededhouse1/28/2026Official roll call ↗

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee)

Total

26

Yes

24

No

2

Present

0

Not Voting

0

Abstain

0

How they voted (26)

+ 2 more

Full roll-call analysis →

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Easement Release Criteria

The bill shifts from a discretionary model to a mandatory release model for water management districts when specific, objective criteria are met.

Water management district

Connected Entities

organizationCivil Justice & Claims Subcommittee“reviewing the bill”Map →

date2026-01-13“when the bill had its 1st reading”Map →

organizationState Affairs Committee“reviewing the bill”Map →

dollar_amount7.18“rule under which the bill was laid on the table”Map →

date2025-12-08“when the bill was filed”Map →

organizationNatural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee“reviewing the bill”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level