Charleston Gazette Mail
By Mike Tony
Gov. Jim Justice has signed into law controversial legislation that restricts county oversight of agricultural operations.
Justice on Friday signed Senate Bill 171, which bars county commissions from passing ordinances or rules stricter than state law regarding agricultural operations.
SB 171 becomes law despite fears the bill would remove county zoning oversight that has been an obstacle to locally unpopular agricultural and energy projects.
Under SB 171, any ordinance, rule, license requirement or other authorization stricter than state law, rule or regulation regarding agricultural operations adopted by a county commission will be revoked.