State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, D-Brookline, has introduced legislation to close a loophole in the "clean and green" tax program, which provides lower property tax assessments on open space.

The program provides lowered assessments on open space which is supposed to be available to the public, but owners of large properties that were not open to the public, private golf courses and country clubs, also were applying for the tax assistance under the program, despite the land not being available for public enjoyment.

Mr. Fontana's bill would require assessors to visit the properties, require property owners to reaffirm that they have a public use and insert language into the law that would not allow golf courses or country clubs to be granted the lowered assessments.

Mr. Fontana said he doesn't want some property owners to unfairly benefit at the expense of others.