2014 -- H 7234

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LC003030

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Shekarchi, Walsh, Handy, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2014

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 2-23-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 2-23 entitled "Right to

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Farm" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     2-23-4. "Agricultural operations" defined. -- (a) As used in this chapter, "agricultural

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operations" includes any commercial enterprise which that has as its primary purpose

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horticulture, viticulture, viniculture, floriculture, forestry, stabling of horses, dairy farming, or

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aquaculture, or the raising of livestock, including for the production of fiber, furbearing animals,

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poultry, or bees, and all such other operations, uses, and activities as the director, in consultation

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with the chief of division of agriculture, may determine to be agriculture, or an agricultural

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activity, use or operation. The mixed-use of farms and farmlands for other forms of enterprise

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including, but not limited to, the display of antique vehicles and equipment, retail sales, tours,

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classes, petting, feeding and viewing of animals, hay rides, crop mazes, festivals and other special

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events are is hereby recognized as a valuable and viable means of contributing to the preservation

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of agriculture.

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      (b) Nothing herein shall be deemed to restrict, limit, or prohibit nonagricultural

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operations from being undertaken on a farm except as otherwise restricted, regulated, limited, or

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prohibited by law, regulation, or ordinance or to affect the rights of persons to engage in other

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lawful nonagricultural enterprises on farms,; provided, however, that the protections and rights

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established by this chapter shall not apply to such nonagricultural activities, uses or operations.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

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     This act would define various farm enterprise uses that are recognized as a valuable and

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viable means of contributing to the preservation of agricultural operations.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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