Agricultural Land Protection Act

(Measure failed of passage in House, roll call #37 (177-210))

Agricultural Land Protection Act - =Title I: Agricultural Land Protection Study and Report Study= - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop, gather, and make available information necessary to allow States and local governments to make informed decisions concerning agricultural land.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study of: (1) the quantity, quality, location, availability, ownership, and financing of agricultural land in the United States; (2) the relationship of such land to the supply, demand, and production of food; (3) the relationship between agricultural land and other specified national concerns; (4) the impact of urbanization, industrial development, and other nonagricultural activities on agricultural land and its productivity; (5) the effects of existing Federal laws and regulations on agricultural land use and productivity; (6) the effects of variable unpredictable factors on agricultural land productivity; (7) the effects of competition for water between agricultural and nonagricultural users; and (8) methods of protecting and improving agricultural land, especially in and around urban areas, including a cost-benefit analysis of such methods. Directs the Secretary to hold hearings and invite public comment on issues considered during such study.

Directs the Secretary to prepare and transmit to the President and to specified Congressional committees an analysis of such study and of the demonstration projects required by title II of this Act. Requires that such report include findings and recommendations of the Secretary concerning Federal policies, programs, regulations, laws, and activities which affect the quantity or quality of agricultural land in the United States.

Authorizes the President to direct the administrative heads of other Federal departments and agencies to assist the Secretary with such study and such report.

Directs the Secretary to assist Federal departments and agencies in developing appropriate procedures to implement recommendations from the National Agricultural Lands Study and such report.

Authorizes the Secretary to use National Agricultural Land Study personnel and facilities in carrying out the provisions of this title.

=Title II: Technical Assistance= - Directs the Secretary, through the Soil Conservation Service and other appropriate agencies, to provide States and local governments with technical assistance concerning methods of protecting agricultural land and reducing its conversion to nonagricultural uses. Directs the Secretary, as part of such technical assistance, to disseminate the latest information available concerning the study and other activities under title I and the demonstration projects under this title.

=Title III: General Provisions= - Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1980 through 1985 to carry out title I of this Act.

Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under title II to obtain any right, title, or interest in any land.

Terminates the provisions of this Act on September 30, 1985.

=Title IV: Intergovernmental Cooperation= - Declares that it is the policy of the Congress to encourage and foster cooperation among Federal agencies, States, and local governments in making decisions likely to result in the significant conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses.

Requires all Federal agencies in planning and proposing activities likely to result in such conversion to: (1) notify, as soon as practicable, States and local governments with jurisdiction over such land and consider and evaluate their viewpoints; and (2) determine whether such activities are, to the maximum extent possible, consistent with national objectives, and with agricultural land protection laws, ordinances or programs established by such States or local governments.

=Title V: Sales of Agricultural Land by GSA= - Prohibits any transaction by the General Services Administration (GSA) which involves the sale for nonagricultural purposes of U.S.-owned agricultural land currently being used for agricultural commodity production from being entered into until 30 days after GSA files a report with specified committees of Congress.