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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of certain direct sales of food to |
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consumers and a limitation on the fee amount for certain permits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 437.0065, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 437.0065. PERMITS FOR CERTAIN FARMERS AND FOOD |
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PRODUCERS. (a) In this section, "farmers' market" and "food |
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producer" have [has] the meanings [meaning] assigned by Section |
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437.020. |
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(b) This section applies only to a permit issued under this |
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chapter to: |
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(1) a farmer for the sale of food directly to consumers |
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at a farmers' market, a farm stand, or the farmer's farm; and |
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(2) a food producer, other than a farmer, for the sale |
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of food directly to consumers [an individual who prepares food for |
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sale] at a farmers' market. |
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(c) A permit issued under Section 437.003, 437.004, |
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437.0055, or 437.0201 to a person described by Subsection (b): |
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(1) must be valid for a term of not less than one year; |
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(2) may impose an annual fee in an amount not to exceed |
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$100 for the issuance or renewal; and |
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(3) must cover sales at all locations the permit |
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holder is authorized to sell food under Subsection (b), including |
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farmers' markets, farm stands, and farms [locations] within the |
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jurisdiction of the permitting authority. |
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(d) A farmer or food producer who is charged an annual fee in |
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an amount that exceeds the amount authorized by Subsection (c)(2) |
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or whose permit does not otherwise comply with this section may |
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bring an action against the governmental entity that charged the |
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fee or issued the permit to recover: |
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(1) the amount the farmer or food producer was charged |
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in excess of the annual fee authorized by Subsection (c)(2); and |
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(2) reasonable and necessary attorney's fees incurred |
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in bringing the action. |
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(e) Sovereign and governmental immunity of a governmental |
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entity to suit and from liability is waived to the extent of |
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liability created by this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 437.020(a), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (3) to |
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read as follows: |
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(1) "Farmers' market" means a designated location used |
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for a recurring event at which a majority of the vendors are |
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[primarily for the distribution and sale directly to consumers of |
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food by] farmers or other food producers who sell food directly to |
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consumers. |
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(3) "Food producer" means a person who grew, raised, |
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processed, prepared, manufactured, or otherwise added value to the |
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food product the person is selling. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies |
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only to an original or renewal permit issued on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. A permit issued before the effective |
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date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the permit was |
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issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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(b) Sections 437.0065(d) and (e), Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, apply only to a cause of action that accrues on or |
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after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |