AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY RELIEF.

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View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
Senate Bill 572 (Public) Filed Thursday, March 26, 2015
AN ACT TO PROVIDE REGULATORY RELIEF TO FARMERS BY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY BRIDGE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS AND THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRANSPORT OF FUEL FOR AGRICULTURAL USE BY FARM VEHICLES AND BY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO STUDY REGULATORY BARRIERS TO INCREASING DRAINAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Intro. by Cook.

Status: Re-ref Com On Transportation (Senate Action) (Apr 23 2015)

SOG comments (1):

Long Title Change

Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes changes to the long title. The original title was as follows:

AN ACT TO PROVIDE REGULATORY RELIEF TO FARMERS BY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY BRIDGE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS AND THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING TRANSPORT OF FUEL FOR AGRICULTURAL USE BY FARM VEHICLES; AND BY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO STUDY REGULATORY BARRIERS TO INCREASING DRAINAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IMPACTED BY SEA LEVEL CHANGE.

S 572

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 22 2015 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Changes the long title. 

    Makes clarifying changes, providing that the study required for bridges and roads includes areas of the state with significant forestry production in addition to agricultural production. Makes conforming changes. 

    Requires the Department of Transportation to also submit the findings and recommendations of the study to the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission.

    Amends language stating the General Assembly's intent in the provisions requiring the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to study the specified regulatory barriers concerning agriculture drainage. Directs DENR to also submit the findings and recommendations of the study to the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission.


  • Summary date: Mar 30 2015 - View Summary

    Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study: (1) the weight restrictions on bridges serving agricultural areas and (2) limits and regulatory barriers governing the transporting of fuel for agricultural use for farms and from one farm to another.

    Requires the DOT to report its findings, recommendations, and any legislative proposals to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee no later than February 1, 2016.

    Directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to study and report on the regulatory barriers that farmers face in counties regulated under Article 7 of GS Chapter 113A that are affected by diminished drainage of surface water from farmland due to a rising sea level. Requires the report to include DENR's recommendations for economically viable and environmentally sound methods for sufficient drainage of coastal agricultural lands that are impacted by rising sea levels.

    Directs DENR to report its findings, recommendations, and any legislative proposals to the Environmental Review Commission no later than February 1, 2016.