BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 247
79R12781 MSE-F By: West, Royce
Health and Human Services
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
C.S.S.B. 247 provides an exemption for certain municipally owned farmer's markets, in cities with populations of one million or greater, allowing sampling of produce. Farmers bringing their produce to municipally owned markets may gain an advantage if they are able to give samples of their produce to potential buyers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 437, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 437.020, as follows:
Sec. 437.020. PRODUCE SAMPLES AT MUNICIPALLY OWNED FARMERS' MARKETS. (a) Provides that except as provided by Subsection (b), this chapter does not regulate the provision of samples of produce to consumers at a municipally owned farmers' market and prohibits a rule adopted under state law from regulating the provision of samples of produce to consumers at a municipally owned farmers' market.
(b) Authorizes produce samples to be distributed at a municipally owned farmers' market only if certain sanitary conditions exist.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.