2015 -- H 6100 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY - RIGHT TO FARM

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Shekarchi, Bennett, Keable, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: April 17, 2015

     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 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, weddings and other special

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

agriculture and shall be supported under this chapter.

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

operations the mixed use of farms and farmlands from being undertaken on a farm except as

otherwise restricted, regulated, or 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 further, that the protections and rights established by this chapter shall not also

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 - RIGHT TO FARM

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     This act would add weddings to the list of permissible mixed-uses of farms and

farmlands.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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