Submitted Article
Legislation containing two proposals authored by Rep. Tina Pickett (Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) to exempt certain temporary and seasonal ag-related structures from the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) has been cleared by the House on concurrence and is now on the way to the governor for his consideration.
As originally passed by the House earlier this spring, House Bill 176 would exempt roadside produce stands from the UCC, thereby giving farmers more flexibility in selling their homegrown products. The legislation was amended to now include Pickett’s House Bill 177, which also passed the House earlier this year, and would exempt maple sugar houses.
“These two exemptions are designed to bring clarity and common sense to the state’s building code,” said Pickett. “Both road-side farm stands and maple sugar houses are used seasonally and should not be subject to the strict code requirements set forth for commercial and residential buildings. Applying these structures to the building code serves no public safety purpose and just adds to the cost of produce and other agricultural products.”
Pickett’s House Bill 176 also contains an amendment by the Senate that would exempt structures used to load/unload or sort livestock at livestock auction facilities.
“Agriculture is one of Pennsylvania’s top industries, and government should be encouraging our farmers and ag producers, not adding to their regulatory burden,” Pickett said. “Applying burdensome, costly and unnecessary regulations to farm stands, maple sugar houses and livestock sorting structures, sets poor public policy, and I’m pleased this legislation seeks to correct this part of the law. I look forward to it being signed by the governor.”