Contact: Andrew Clark, 703-580-8774, Aclark@scottforva.com

WOODBRIDGE, Va., Jan. 3, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31, Prince William and Fauquier) announced that he will hold a press conference on Tuesday, January 8th, at 11 a.m. in House Room 1 of the Virginia State Capitol, 1000 Bank Street, Richmond, Virginia, to discuss his introduction of House Bill 1430, also known as "The Boneta Bill."

"The Boneta Bill," is named after Martha Boneta, a local farmer in Fauquier County who has been in a legal dispute with the county over several zoning ordinances and permits imposed by local government officials.

Martha's dispute and the "Pitchfork Protest" in her support in August were the focus of national attention and grassroots support. In Lingamfelter's estimate, the actions taken by her locality violate fundamental individual and property rights.

Delegate Lingamfelter commented:

"Property rights are one of the most fundamental rights in a free society. In the United States, we the people are the sovereign. We the people have the right to farm just as our Founders envisioned with what they called the pursuit of happiness.

"House Bill 1430 will give teeth to the Virginia Right to Farm Act (VRFA) and ensure that the heritage and traditions of farming in the Commonwealth of Virginia are respected at all levels of government.

"By amending the VRFA to include the byproducts of farm produce and the sale of items incidental to farming, House Bill 1430 ensures that government officials cannot take action to restrict or prevent the citizens from engaging in commerce.

"The bill also expressly sets forth that any county ordinance is void if it were to violate constitutional rights on agricultural property, such as speech, assembly, religion, and other freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights, and includes penalties for government officials who violate the VRFA.

"I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly and with local government in asking them to stand with me to protect farmers, small businesses, and our Virginia way."

The press conference will feature several high-profile property rights advocates including best-selling author and farmer Joel Salatin and constitutional lawyer Mark Fitzgibbons.

Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Scott Lingamfelter.