Bill Text: VA SB400 | 2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Agritourism event buildings; authorizes the BHCD to promulgate regulations related to buildings.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-04-08 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0262) [SB400 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-SB400-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 36-98.4 as follows:
§36-98.4. Agritourism event buildings.
A. The Board shall have the power and duty to promulgate regulations pertaining to the construction and rehabilitation of agritourism event buildings. As used in this section, "agritourism event building" means a building or structure located on property where farming operations or agritourism takes place, which is primarily used for holding events and entertainment gatherings open to the public of 300 people or less. Regulations promulgated hereunder shall be limited to the following:
1. Requirements for outward swinging doors with panic hardware, emergency lights, and exit signs on designated emergency exits;
2. Emergency vehicle access to the agritourism event structure;
3. At least one restroom with handwashing facilities;
4. Portable fire extinguishers for the purpose of fire suppression;
5. A manual unmonitored fire alarm system with pull stations; and
6. A fire evacuation plan.
B. To assist the Board in the administration of this section, the Board shall appoint an Agritourism Event Structure Technical Advisory Committee, consisting of nine members. The nine members shall be appointed one each from the following: Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Wineries Association, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, a craft beverage manufacturer, the Virginia Association of Counties, the Virginia Fire Prevention Association, the Virginia Fire Services Board, and the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association.
C. Inspections conducted pursuant to this section shall be performed by persons certified by the Board pursuant to subdivision 6 of § 36-137 as competent to inspect agritourism event buildings. The Board may conduct or cause to be conducted any inspection pursuant to this section, provided that any person performing the inspection on behalf of the Board is certified by the Board as set forth in this subsection.
2. That the provisions of subsections A and C of §36-98.4 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2023 Session of the General Assembly.
