HD 1863 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to further the protection of agricultural land

This bill amends Massachusetts agricultural land protection law to explicitly include "the keeping of horses as a commercial enterprise" within the definition of protected agricultural land use. It directly affects commercial horse operations (like breeding or boarding businesses) by ensuring they qualify for the same land use protections previously applied to traditional farming activities. The key mechanism adds this specific phrase to two existing legal definitions in Chapter 64H, clarifying that horse-related commercial activities count as agricultural production under current law. This change does not create new programs or funding but adjusts the scope of existing protections.
Tags: Agriculture
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Photo of David DeCoste
David DeCoste
RRepublican
MA
5th Plymouth