Bill > H5607

This bill redefines the legal definition of a "farm" in Rhode Island by lowering the required annual gross income from farm products from $10,000 to $2,500. Currently, to qualify as a farmer, an individual must have filed a 1040F U.S. Internal Revenue Form, have a state farm tax number, and earned $10,000 in farm product sales over four years. The new bill reduces this threshold to $2,500 in the preceding year and expands the definition of agricultural operations to include commercial enterprises focused on horticulture, field crops, viticulture, floriculture, forestry, horse stabling, dairy farming, aquaculture, livestock raising, and other agricultural activities as determined by the director of environmental management. This change will make it easier for smaller agricultural operations to be recognized as farms and potentially qualify for certain agricultural exemptions or protections, such as those related to wetlands regulations. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://status.rilegislature.gov/