Bill > HB287

This bill enacts the "Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Act" to allow for the operation of small-scale, home-based food kitchens in Georgia. Key provisions include: - Defining a "microenterprise home kitchen" as a non-commercial kitchen facility located in a private home or on a farm that prepares no more than 30 meals per day. This excludes commercial food establishments, nonprofits, and other regulated food production. - Requiring operators to obtain a permit from their county board of health to operate a microenterprise home kitchen, subject to certain requirements around food safety, equipment, and operations. - Directing the state Department of Public Health to establish sanitation, equipment, and maintenance rules for these home kitchens, while limiting the department's authority to impose overly burdensome commercial kitchen regulations. - Authorizing county health boards to inspect and regulate permitted microenterprise home kitchens, including the ability to deny, suspend, or revoke permits for non-compliance. - Specifying operational requirements for microenterprise home kitchens, such as prohibiting on-site dining and requiring food to be pre-ordered for pick-up or delivery. - Exempting microenterprise home kitchens from the definition of "food sales establishment" and "food service establishment" in existing state food laws.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64096