Senate Committee Approves Changes To “Right To Farm” Act

A Senate committee has endorsed changes to state farming laws that would make it more difficult to file nuisance lawsuits against farmers seeking to expand their operations. The Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee passed the bill 6-2 yesterday, with Democrats voting against the measure. Approval comes amid concerns farmer growth would be unchecked, not only by local government officials seeking to enforce zoning laws but citizens and neighbors worried about farm and feedlot growth pushing to their property lines. But farm industry lobbyist Roger Batt says the bill aims to protect one of Idaho's biggest economic engines and enable farmers big and small to operate without fear of reprisals from nuisance lawsuits. The bill adds language to Idaho's Right to Farm Act. It was approved earlier this month by the House.