Multiple residents told commissioners the SR 15 bypass would drain lakes, split farms and increase traffic near schools; speakers urged protection of generational farmland and questioned whether $22M estimates include environmental and mitigation costs.

County planning staff proposed allowing agritourism on actively operated farms with safeguards — including conditional use permits, public hearings and criteria to prevent loss of agricultural productivity — and invited comments on thresholds and conditions.

Washington state loses 14 farms weekly, raising concerns over agricultural production and regulatory burdens.

Members reviewed draft bylaws adapted from neighboring counties, discussed whether to pursue a standalone comprehensive plan or focus first on enforceable zoning rules, and assigned homework to compile model regulations and maps. They emphasized the need for clear definitions (including “agriculture”) and enforcement language before forwarding a d​

Lawmakers amended House File 2596 to allow grain elevators that do only cash sales an alternative to an unqualified audit (a financial statement plus CPA report and a $100,000 bond), raise bond for some credit/deferred‑pricing activities, and specify that interest earnings remain in the fund; supporters said the changes protect farmers while limiting compliance costs. The bill passed after amendment votes.

Attorney Steve Collier presented compromise language on H941 to restore farming protections, reduce certain acreage thresholds and allow municipalities limited authority to regulate swine waste in downtowns and village centers after notice and with constraints to avoid affecting farm structures.

Speakers discussed a proposal that would protect the ‘right to grow’ plants, treat poultry as any domesticated bird (roosters excluded in the draft), and let towns regulate livestock on parcels under one acre; participants flagged data gaps and concern that tiered municipal authority could displace nearby farms.

A committee member outlined a large 'miscellaneous' agriculture bill containing roughly 14 primary items, including right‑to‑farm language changes after a recent Supreme Court decision, net‑farm transfer tax exemptions, accessory farm structure permitting clarifications (Act 250), a change to the agricultural‑land definition tied to donated crops, farm‑kitchen rules, and explicit protections for prime agricultural land from solar siting.

The Boone County Board adopted a consolidated UDO after debate over livestock setbacks and tree‑preservation language, directing staff to add a quarter‑mile plat note for registered livestock operations of 300 animal units or more measured from the operation lot line.

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