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
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
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, aims to simplify regulations for small farms and homestead vendors selling food products in Indiana by repealing existing home-based vendor rules and establishing new definitions for "homestead vendor" and "small farm." The core provision is that state and local health authorities, including the Indiana Department of Health (state department) and local health departments, cannot impose any rules, regulations, certifications, or licensing requirements on these small producers that are not already mandated by federal law. This exemption extends to certain public building regulations for structures on their property, and the bill clarifies that these vendors can sell various meat products, prepared foods, produce, and other items directly to consumers from their property or at farmers markets, provided they meet specific labeling requirements and, for meat products, adhere to state processing and handling standards. The bill also allows the executive board of the state department to create rules for time and temperature control for safety food, but these rules will not apply to homestead vendors or small farms. Importantly, homestead vendors are prohibited from shipping food outside of Indiana unless they obtain a food handler's certificate and package the food appropriately, and even then, out-of-state shipping is restricted.
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
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 263: yeas 38, nays 10 (on 02/24/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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