More than 30 years after statewide land use planning became the name of the game in Oregon, questions about what it means continue to come up. House Bill 4170 is an attempt to answer at least one of those questions.

The bill would allow dog trainers to give lessons on land zoned for exclusive farm use, a point on which current law is ambiguous. In some counties, someone offering lessons in the sport of agility would have no problem today, while in others they might. This bill would clarify that.

The bill being considered during this legislative session is somewhat more restrictive than one that died last year, supporters told the House Rules Committee recently. It does not include boarding kennels, for one thing, and it sets limits on just how many classes may be given in a day and how many dogs may participate. At least one trainer who testified said the number is more than adequate.

In addition, the change would allow land to be used for four larger — as many as 60 dogs — gatherings per year. That’s important if a trainer wants to bring in a nationally recognized expert, hold herding trials or other events that draw large numbers of dogs. The number is low enough, however, to assure that events like the Mount Bachelor Kennel Club show each July — which combines breed, rally, agility and obedience competitions — would not be allowed. Shows of that size can draw several hundred dogs and run over a period of days.

Given its reception in the Rules Committee, it’s no wonder the measure sailed through the full House of Representatives last week with unanimous approval. Maybe that should surprise no one. After all, some 7,000 Oregonians participate in organized dog events annually, and fully 40 percent of households count dogs as members of the family.

The bill has moved to the Legislature’s upper house. Assuming it does not become buried in the last-minute crush of business, it’s likely to become law.