Revision: March 27, 2015, midnight
HB 660-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2015 SESSION
15-0669
08/04
HOUSE BILL 660-FN
AN ACT relative to small farms and farmstands.
SPONSORS: Rep. Comtois, Belk 7; Rep. Kurk, Hills 2; Rep. Groen, Straf 10; Rep. R. Gordon, Rock 35; Rep. Howard, Jr., Belk 8; Rep. Burton, Straf 6
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This bill exempts small farms and farmstands from certain laws.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15-0669
08/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen
AN ACT relative to small farms and farmstands.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Small Farm Standards. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 426 the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 426-A
426-A:1 Short Title. This chapter shall be known as “Small Farm Protection Act of 2015.”
426-A:2 Purpose. The legislature finds that encouraging small-scale farming in New Hampshire will result in increased economic opportunities, a cleaner and safer environment, greater choices in foodstuffs and enhanced social and cultural activities for the people of New Hampshire.
426-A:3 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. “Farm stand” means premises in this state at which:
(a) Food from one or more small farms is sold, and
(b) The sales from such food constitute at least 75 percent of the dollar value of all sales of edible products sold on such premises, excluding edible products sold at a licensed restaurant facility on such premises. A farm stand need not be located on a small or any other farm. A farm stand may use the term “farm stand” in its name and advertising.
II. “Food” includes, but is not limited to, any edible vegetable, fruit, poultry, beef, or fish that is intended for human consumption produced by a small farm. Food may be raw, cooked, or processed. Cooking and processing may be done by a small farm or by others and may contain edible materials not grown or raised on the small farm; provided, however, that at least three-quarters of any single food item by volume or weight was produced by the small farm.
III. “Small farm” means the production of food on land in this state the gross sales of which shall not exceed $100,000 in any calendar year.
426-A:4 Exemptions. Small farms and farm stands shall be exempt the following provisions of law:
I. Food inspection and licensing, including slaughtering and processing.
II. Workers’ compensation, pursuant to RSA 281-A.
III. Unemployment compensation, pursuant to RSA 282-A.
IV. Minimum wage, pursuant to RSA 279.
V. Any labor law in New Hampshire relating to adults or children.
VI. Weights and measures licensing and inspection pursuant to RSA 438.
VII. Health and safety licensing and inspection pursuant to RSA 143-A.
VIII. Environmental licensing and inspection required by the department of environmental services.
IX. Building codes pursuant to RSA 155-A with respect to agricultural structures and buildings on a small farm.
426-A:5 Labeling Required. Provided that such food is labeled as follows: “This product has been produced by a small farm in New Hampshire and has not been inspected by a government agency,” a small farm may sell, trade, or otherwise dispose of its food:
I. On its premises.
II. On the premises of another small farm.
III. To a restaurant.
IV. On or to a farm stand.
V. To any other person, organization, or business.
426-A:6 Conflicts of Law. If the provisions of this chapter are in conflict with the provisions of any other statute or rule, the provisions of this chapter shall take precedence.
426-A:7 Reporting Requirements.
I. A small farm shall, within 60 days of the closing of its fiscal year, file with the department of agriculture, markets and food the following information:
(a) Name and address of the small farm.
(b) The month and day it first commenced operation.
(c) The types of food produced.
(d) Dollar value of sales/barter/trade.
II. Any information reported to the department shall be exempt from RSA 91-A, and the department of agriculture, markets and food shall only release aggregate data where identification of an individual small farm is not possible. No penalty shall attach to the failure to comply with this section.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
15-0669
01/26/15
HB 660-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to small farms and farmstands.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Due to time constraints, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, at this time. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.