Bill Text: VA SB400 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Engrossed.html

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22100788D
SENATE BILL NO. 400 Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 11, 2022 Prefiled January 11, 2022 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 36-98.4, relating to Uniform Statewide Building Code; agritourism event buildings. ---------- Patron Prior to Engrossment--Senator Hanger ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ----------

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. [ "Agritourism 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 [ seven eight ] members. The [ seven eight ] members shall be appointed one each from the following: Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Wineries Association, 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.