PIERRE - The Senate Taxation Committee approved a measure that would shift the way agricultural land is valued for taxes from a market-based system to a system based on production.

Sen. Jim Lintz, R-Hermosa, who helped developed the legislation said it would help save farmers and ranchers from being taxed off their properties.

Sen. Bill Napoli, R-Rapid City, who voted against the SB1005, said it would unfairly shift tax burdens to owners of homes and businesses.

The measure is designed to keep the value of agricultural land statewide at its current amount, but there would be variations from county to county.

Ag land in Meade County, for example, would increase in value, so homes and businesses would have a smaller percentage of total assessed value. In Pennington County, however, total ag land value would decrease slightly, which would result in a small shift of valuation to homes and businesses.

The committee vote was 6 to 3 for a "do pass" recommendation. Now the bill goes to the Senate.