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Committee votes not to pass bill aimed at insulating farm operations from local noise rules
Summary
Representative Comteuil introduced House Bill 272 to clarify that agricultural operations are not subject to local disturbance-of-the-peace or quiet-hours ordinances that impede necessary farming activities; the committee voted to recommend the bill not pass.
Representative Comteuil of Belknap District 7 introduced House Bill 272 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, saying the measure is intended to protect agricultural operations from local ordinances that can unintentionally limit necessary farm work.
Comteuil told the committee that a prior session’s quiet-hours statute led some towns to rely instead on disturbance-of-the-peace ordinances that interfered with time-sensitive farm tasks such as crop spraying, sugaring operations and winter feeding. He said the amendment under consideration would exempt production agriculture — not agritourism — from such local restrictions.
Rob Johnson, policy director for the New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation, testified in support and described farming as not a ‘‘9-to-5’’ occupation that depends on weather and appropriate timing. He and the sponsor said the amendment clarifies legislative intent after the prior term’s change.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the scope of the exemption and whether the change further codifies the state’s right-to-farm policy (discussed in committee as RSA 432). Comteuil and proponents said the amendment is intended to cement legislative support for agricultural activities and leave agritourism and other nonproduction uses outside the exemption.
Following testimony and discussion, the committee moved and seconded a motion "not to pass" HB272. The committee voice vote was in favor of the motion; senators then appointed Senator McConkie to carry related work on other bills. The committee record indicates the motion not to pass was approved, resulting in a negative committee recommendation.
Why it matters: Farmers and agricultural businesses told the committee that local quiet-hours or disturbance rules can make it difficult to perform weather-dependent activities at appropriate times. Supporters argued the bill restores or clarifies protections for standard farm operations.
What’s next: The committee’s action generates a negative recommendation for HB272; sponsors and agricultural representatives may pursue alternative vehicles or draft language for future consideration.
