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Lawmakers Hear Divided Views on Bill to Clarify Farm‑Store Rules and Agritourism
Summary
Supporters say HB 4153 will modernize rules for farm stands and agritourism, preserving farms by allowing diversified on‑farm activities; opponents say dash‑2 amendments would open EFU land to commercial retail, remove county review and price out beginning farmers.
A House committee on agriculture heard nearly three hours of public testimony on House Bill 4153, a proposal that backers say will standardize farm‑store and agritourism rules statewide and opponents say would erode protections for Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) land.
Proponents, including family farmers and county staff, told the committee the bill would bring clarity and flexibility. “This bill is stability, flexibility, trust, and appreciation towards diversifying family farms,” said Emily Iverson, who said her family’s wooden‑shoe tulip festival attracts more than 150,000 visitors annually and that removing the income restriction would help farms adapt. Clackamas County Commissioner Diana Helm urged the committee to move the bill forward, saying it “is…
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