Signed by Governor Roy Cooper III

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends various agricultural and livestock regulations.

Highlights:

• Defines agricultural land as individual land that earns the owner at least $1,000 per year for 3 consecutive years (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes gross income for agricultural land to include grazing fees for livestock and the sale of bees or products derived from beehives (Sec. 3)

• Specifies that livestock is classified as abandoned if it was turned over to another individual for boarding, treatment, or care and the owner has not retaken custody after 2 months of the last fee payment (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes custodians to sell or transfer abandoned livestock if they complete an affidavit affirming the owner has not made attempts to retake custody of their livestock (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits willful resistance, delay, or obstruction of an authorized inspection of land-disturbing activities on forested land (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt the Forest Practice Guidelines for water quality preservation (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that buildings and structures used for agritourism are tax-exempt (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes state food compliance inspectors to drive state vehicles without official state tags and bumper stickers (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the sale of wine at farmer’s markets if the seller has a winery special permit (Sec. 19).

• Prohibits requiring agricultural producers to pay a labor union or organization for the purpose of paying an employee’s membership fee or dues (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends various agricultural and livestock regulations.

Highlights:

• Defines agricultural land as individual land that earns the owner at least $1,000 per year for 3 consecutive years (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes gross income for agricultural land to include grazing fees for livestock and the sale of bees or products derived from beehives (Sec. 3)

• Specifies that livestock is classified as abandoned if it was turned over to another individual for boarding, treatment, or care and the owner has not retaken custody after 2 months of the last fee payment (Sec. 4).

• Authorizes custodians to sell or transfer abandoned livestock if they complete an affidavit affirming the owner has not made attempts to retake custody of their livestock (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits willful resistance, delay, or obstruction of an authorized inspection of land-disturbing activities on forested land (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt the Forest Practice Guidelines for water quality preservation (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that buildings and structures used for agritourism are tax-exempt (Sec. 8).

• Authorizes state food compliance inspectors to drive state vehicles without official state tags and bumper stickers (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes the sale of wine at farmer’s markets if the seller has a winery special permit (Sec. 19).

• Prohibits requiring agricultural producers to pay a labor union or organization for the purpose of paying an employee’s membership fee or dues (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text