summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
Passed
03/12/2026
03/12/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/12/2026
03/12/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Farm and homestead food sales. Allows the executive board of the Indiana department of health to adopt rules concerning time temperature control for food safety, but provides that the rules may not be applied to a homestead vendor or small farm vendor. Provides that homestead vendors and small farm vendors are exempt from specified health regulations applicable to food establishments. Provides that the Indiana department of health, a local unit of government, the health and hospital corporation of Marion County, or a local health department may not impose any rules, regulations, certifications, or licensing requirements on a homestead vendor or small farm vendor that are not required under federal law, but may investigate complaints against a homestead vendor or small farm vendor regarding a foodborne illness derived from the homestead vendor's or small farm vendor's food products. Permits homestead vendors and small farm vendors to sell specified meat products and other foods from: (1) the property of the homestead vendor or small farm vendor; or (2) a farmers market. Requires a homestead vendor or small farm vendor to provide consumers with specified information regarding the homestead vendor's or small farm vendor's food products through signage or labeling. Provides for conditions under which a homestead vendor or small farm vendor may ship or deliver a food product directly to a consumer. Imposes handling, refrigeration, transportation, and storage requirements for homestead vendor and small farm vendor food products. Provides that public buildings used by homestead vendors and small farm vendors are exempt from certain public building and safety regulations. Provides that buildings, structures, or stands used for sale of homestead vendor or small farm vendor food products are subject to specified fire safety, building, and equipment laws.
AI Summary
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, exempts "homestead vendors" and "small farms" from many of the standard health regulations that apply to food establishments in Indiana, allowing them to sell certain food products, including meat products, prepared foods, baked goods, produce, and more, directly to consumers from their property or at farmers' markets. A homestead vendor is defined as someone selling food products or meat products from their property or a farmers' market with less than $1.5 million in annual gross sales, while a small farm is land primarily used for growing crops or raising livestock that also meets the same sales threshold. These vendors must still provide consumers with specific information about their products through labeling or signage, including ingredients and potential allergens, and must adhere to certain handling, refrigeration, transportation, and storage requirements for their food products. While the Indiana Department of Health and local health departments cannot impose regulations beyond federal law on these vendors, they can investigate complaints related to foodborne illnesses. Additionally, the bill clarifies that certain public buildings on homestead vendor or small farm property are exempt from specific safety regulations, but structures or stands used for selling these food products are still subject to fire safety, building, and equipment laws.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (10)
Hunter Smith (R)*,
Brian Buchanan (R),
Gary Byrne (R),
Stacey Donato (R),
Blake Doriot (R),
Robb Greene (R),
Tyler Johnson (R),
Eric Koch (R),
Matthew Lehman (R),
Bob Morris (R),
Last Action
Public Law 163 (on 03/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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