WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2024 REGULAR SESSION
Enrolled Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 690
By Senators Rucker, Barrett, Chapman, Clements,
Deeds, Hamilton, Hunt, Karnes, Martin, Queen,
Roberts, Smith, Stuart, Taylor, and Nelson [Passed March 7, 2024; in effect 90 days from passage]
 Enr CS for SB 690
1 AN ACT to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section,
2 designated §19-36-6, relating to creating a commission on West Virginia Agritourism;
3 providing for membership, appointment, and term lengths; clarifying members receive no
4 compensation or reimbursement for expenses; providing for powers and duties; and
5 requiring report to Legislature and Governor.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 36. AGRITOURISM RESPONSIBILITY ACT.
§19-36-6. West Virginia Agritourism Commission created; composition; appointment;
terms in office; compensation and expenses; powers and duties.
1 (a) There is hereby created the Agritourism Commission which shall consist of the
2 Commissioner of Agriculture or designee, who shall serve as chair, and 10 members, who shall be
3 residents and citizens of the state. The citizen members shall have experience in agritourism and
4 represent the sectors of: (1) Economic development; (2) tourism; (3) agriculture extension service;
5 (4) farm distilleries; (5) vineyards; (6) wineries; (7) small farms; (8) the Farm Bureau; (9)
6 Equestrianism; and (10) Farm-to-Table.
7 (b) The citizen members shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and
8 consent of the Senate, no later than July 1, 2025. No more than five members may belong to the
9 same political party. The commission members shall serve a term concurrent with that of the
10 Governor's term in office. Commission members may be reappointed to additional terms.
11 (c) The commission members shall review and investigate means of preserving our
12 farmland and growing our agricultural tourism and agricultural economic development.
13 (d) Commission members shall not be compensated for their services or reimbursed for
14 expenses.
15 (e) The commission:
16 (1) May meet with similar commissions or bodies of any of the several states whose
17 purpose in their respective states is to preserve farmland, grow agricultural tourism, and
1 1
 Enr CS for SB 690
18 agricultural economic development;
19 (2) Shall recommend appropriate legislation to the Legislature, including establishing
20 regulatory and legislative relief to foster the development and growth of agritourism and
21 successful farms; and
22 (3) Shall prepare an annual report to the Legislature and Governor, by the first day of the
23 regular legislative session, concerning commission activities, recommendations, and other
24 necessary information.
1 2


Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-37-1
Committee Substitute: 19-36-6
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 19-36-6
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 19-36-6