2015 -- H 6100

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LC002450

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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 which uses shall not be restricted by the cities or towns.

      (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 - RIGHT TO FARM

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     This act would add weddings to the list of non-agriculture farm uses protected as "mixed

use operations" and extends the protection against nuisance complaints contained in chapter 23 of

title 2 to those activities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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