A measure that earlier passed the South Dakota House passed unanimously out of the state Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources committee this week. South Dakota Farm Bureau Lobbyist Mike Held says the legislation would expand the number of waters that are eligible for the buffer strip tax reduction.

Only 300 acres were accepted into the buffer strip tax break program last year. Held is hoping this legislation will pass and lead to more people applying for the tax reduction.

The legislation sponsored by Senator Jason Frerichs of Wilmot would allow county commissioners by resolution to call on the director of equalization to reduce property taxes for any agricultural land within 120 feet of a tributary to any lake, river or stream already designated in the state buffer strip plan.