10 LC
25 5702S
The
House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs offers the following
substitute to HB 1439:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 8-2-25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
state-wide application of minimum standard building codes, codes requiring
adoption by municipality or county, adoption of more stringent requirements by
local governments, and adoption of standards for which state code does not
exist, so as to provide an exemption for certain farm buildings or structures;
to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 8-2-25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state-wide
application of minimum standard building codes, codes requiring adoption by
municipality or county, adoption of more stringent requirements by local
governments, and adoption of standards for which state code does not exist, is
amended by adding a new subsection to read as follows:
"(e)(1)
As used in this subsection, the term:
(A)
'Agriculture,' 'agricultural operations,' or 'agricultural or farm products' has
the meaning provided by Code Section 1-3-3.
(B)
'Farm' means real property or a portion thereof used for agricultural
operations.
(C)
'Farm building or structure' means a building or structure that is located on a
farm; not used for residential purposes; not intended primarily for public use;
and used primarily for or in connection with agricultural operations, including
but not limited to any one or more of the following uses:
(i)
Storage, sheltering, raising, handling, or production of agricultural or farm
products or waste by-products thereof;
(ii)
Business or office uses relating to agricultural operations, with an occupancy
load of fewer than 11 people;
(iii)
Use of farm machinery or equipment or maintenance or storage of vehicles,
machinery, or equipment used on the farm;
(iv)
Storage or use of feed, supplies, or materials used on the farm; or
(v)
Implementation of best management practices associated with agricultural
operations.
(2)
Farm buildings or structures shall be exempt from the state minimum standard
building codes provided for in subdivisions (9)(B)(i)(I) and (9)(B)(i)(IX) of
Code Section 8-2-20 and any amendment thereto adopted by the department pursuant
to Code Section 8-2-23 or by a municipality or county pursuant to Code Section
8-2-25."
SECTION
2.
This
Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its
becoming law without such approval.
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.