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:

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

Farm" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

of agriculture.

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

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

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

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

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

     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

viable means of contributing to the preservation of agricultural operations.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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