2014 -- H 7234
Enacted 07/02/14
A N A C T
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Shekarchi, Walsh, Handy, and Fellela
Date Introduced: January 30, 2014
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.