Addendum: Confusion Follows Passage of Farm Store Bill in Legislature

In a confusing development, the version of the so-called Farm Store bill (HB 4153) that was discussed in a final public hearing just before the legislature adjourned last week was not the version that passed the legislature on Friday (3/6). (Get background on this controversial bill here.)

An amendment was adopted after the public hearing that reinstated the language in the existing statute that allows for farm stands and then established a new type of permit called the farm store permit. According to Friends of Family Farmers, the bill states that farm stores are only open to farms based on their size and acreage in production, with no limits on the amount of revenue you can generate from ticket sales or incidental item sales (details here).

Advocates are continuing their opposition to this bill in its current form.

"First and foremost, this bill was sold to the public and lawmakers as a way to simplify the permit process. By the end of the session, not only did this bill not clarify anything about current law, leaving it untouched, but it also created an entirely new permit for similar businesses that counties are going to have to parse out," said Friends of Family Farmers in a press release. "It is clear that the goal of this process was not ease or clarity, but the real goal was to provide a pathway for unlimited event income on EFU [Exclusive Farm Use] zoned land at all costs."

Get more details about the pros and (many cons) of this bill in this press release. Then take a moment to urge Governor Kotek not to sign HB 4153.

Photo (top) of Oso Honey Farm farm stand in Corvallis, Oregon.

Read more about the original disinformation campaign that preceded this bill that has been promoted by the Oregon Property Owners Association.