Committee clears bill to exempt single-farm roadside markets from local permitting rules

The House Agriculture committee voted to advance House Bill 50 97, which creates an exemption for single-farm roadside markets from certain local permitting, stormwater and building-code requirements.

Representative Hadden, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure applies to a single farmer selling produce and other products on land they own or lease — it is not intended for multi-vendor farmers markets. He said municipalities and counties worked with the committee during drafting and supported the changes.

During questions a member asked whether the bill sets specific setbacks from roadways; Hadden answered there are no statutory setbacks outside of existing right-of-way rules and emphasized that farmers assume liability for their operations. The adopted amendment clarifies the exemption applies only on a farmer’s leased or owned farm property that the farmer controls, adds language that local governments cannot be held liable for occurrences arising from the exemption, and removes a redundant preemption clause at municipal request.

The committee adopted the amendment on a roll call and then passed the bill as amended. Representative Burns thanked county and municipal associations for their work and said the changes remove onerous requirements — such as paved parking and sprinkler systems — that would have been burdensome to small farmers.

The bill was reported out of committee to the House floor for further consideration.