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Senate Passes ACRE Initiative for Review of Local Farming
Regulations
HARRISBURG -- The
state Senate passed legislation Monday that would help settle disputes between
farmers and their host communities by establishing a review process for local
farming regulations.
House Bill 1646, also known as
the ACRE (Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment) initiative, would
direct the state Attorney General's office to review disputes over local farming
ordinances. The Attorney General would then decide whether to send the case to
Commonwealth Court. The legislation would provide a less expensive avenue to
resolve disputes between farmers and local governments.
Sen. Michael Waugh (R-York),
chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, said that House
Bill 1646 strikes a balance between the interests of farmers and the communities
in which they operate.
“One of the agricultural
community’s biggest concerns is local ordinances that place unfair restrictions
on the ability to farm,” Waugh said. “This legislation will defend the rights
of farmers without limiting the ability of local governments to protect the
health and safety of their citizens.”
The bill also requires new or
expanding livestock and manure-importing farms to develop an odor management
plan, making Pennsylvania one of the first states to regulate odor. It also
includes strong provisions to protect water quality.
Waugh said that House Bill 1646
would accomplish the same goals as legislation passed by the General Assembly
that was vetoed by Governor Rendell in December 2003. The bill will now go to
Governor’s desk for his signature.
 
Sen. Jubelirer's Remarks
Sen. Madigan's Remarks
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