S.B. No. 932
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of certain direct sales of food to
  consumers and a limitation on the fee amount for certain permits.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 437, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Section 437.0065 to read as follows:
         Sec. 437.0065.  PERMITS FOR CERTAIN FARMERS AND FOOD
  PRODUCERS. (a)  In this section, "farmers' market" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 437.020.
         (b)  This section applies only to a permit issued under this
  chapter to:
               (1)  a farmer for the sale of food directly to consumers
  at a farmers' market, a farm stand, or the farmer's farm; and
               (2)  an individual who prepares food for sale at a
  farmers' market.
         (c)  A permit issued under Section 437.003, 437.004,
  437.0055, or 437.0201 to a person described by Subsection (b):
               (1)  must be valid for a term of not less than one year;
               (2)  may impose an annual fee in an amount not to exceed
  $100 for the issuance or renewal; and
               (3)  must cover sales at all locations within the
  jurisdiction of the permitting authority.
         SECTION 2.  Section 437.020(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by this section and Sections
  437.0065, 437.0201, 437.0202, and 437.0203:
               (1)  this chapter does not regulate the provision of
  samples of food or the sale of food to consumers at a farm or
  farmers' market; and
               (2)  a rule adopted under state law may not regulate the
  provision of samples of food or the sale of food to consumers at a
  farm or farmers' market.
         SECTION 3.  Section 437.0201(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The department or a local health department may issue a
  temporary food establishment permit to a person who sells food at a
  farmers' market, subject to Section 437.0065 [without limiting the
  number of days for which the permit is effective to the number of
  days during which the farmers' market takes place].
         SECTION 4.  Section 437.0201(c), Health and Safety Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an original or renewal permit issued on or after the effective
  date of this Act. A permit issued before the effective date of this
  Act is covered by the law in effect when the permit was issued, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 932 passed the Senate on
  April 17, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 932 passed the House on
  May 14, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 1, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor