This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 19-36-7, which recognizes the constitutional authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture to intervene in matters that negatively impact agritourism. The legislation emphasizes the importance of promoting agritourism to support agricultural production and educate the public about the agricultural industry. It outlines the need to eliminate conflicting regulatory authority and policies that hinder agritourism activities, allowing the Commissioner to override state or local government regulations when they interfere with agritourism events.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the Commissioner may not override provisions of the State Fire Code and must seek assistance from the State Fire Marshal or local fire marshals to ensure public safety. The Commissioner is also required to report to the Legislature annually on instances where this authority was invoked, starting June 30, 2027. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the regulatory process for agritourism while maintaining safety standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 19-36-7