Signed by Governor Authored by Lois Kolkhorst (R) View at Source
Caption: Relating to cottage food production operations. Initially Referred to Senate Health & Human Services Committee, chaired by a Republican Last Referred to House Public Health Committee, chaired by a Republican
SB 541 proposes revisions to the regulations governing cottage food production operations in Texas. The bill expands the scope of cottage food production to include nonprofit organizations operating in a director's or officer's home, alongside individuals. It increases the allowable annual gross income for these operations from $50,000 to $100,000 and introduces the concept of "cottage food vendors," enabling third-party sales. The bill expands the list of permissible food items to include products requiring time and temperature control for safety, provided certain labeling and handling protocols are met. It also includes provisions limiting the authority of local governments to regulate these operations or require licensing or fees, with penalties for violations. Additionally, the bill introduces new labeling requirements, including disclosures about the unregulated nature of the products and safe handling instructions for time- and temperature-sensitive items. Cottage food vendors must register with the state and display prominent signage for consumer awareness.
Co-authors: Sparks (R); West (D) Sponsors: Hull (R)
Dec 6, 2024
(S) Kolkhorst signed onto the bill as Author (S) Received by the Secretary of the Senate (S) Filed
Feb 3, 2025
(S) Read first time (S) Referred to the Senate Health & Human Services, chaired by a Republican
Mar 11, 2025
(S) Scheduled for public hearing on . . . (S) Considered in public hearing (S) Testimony taken in committee (S) Left pending in committee
Mar 18, 2025
(S) Considered in public hearing (S) Vote taken in committee
Mar 19, 2025
(S) Reported favorably w/o amendments (S) Recommended for local & uncontested calendar (S) Committee report printed and distributed
Mar 24, 2025
(S) Sparks signed onto the bill as Coauthor (S) Co-author authorized
Apr 10, 2025
(S) West signed onto the bill as Coauthor (S) Co-author authorized (S) Placed on local & uncontested calendar (S) Laid before the Senate (S) Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment (S) Vote recorded in Journal (S) Three day rule suspended (S) Record vote (S) Read 3rd time (S) Passed (S) Record vote (S) Reported engrossed
Apr 14, 2025
(H) Received from the Senate
Apr 17, 2025
(H) Read first time (H) Referred to the House Public Health, chaired by a Republican
May 8, 2025
(H) Considered in formal meeting (H) Committee substitute considered in committee (H) Reported favorably as substituted
May 10, 2025
(H) Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator (H) Committee report distributed (H) Committee report sent to Calendars
May 12, 2025
(H) Laid out in lieu of companion (H) Read 2nd time (H) A Republican amendment (No. 1) from Hull amended the bill. (H) A Republican amendment (No. 2) from Harless amended the bill. (H) Passed to 3rd reading as amended
You can view which lawmakers have received money from a specific PAC by selecting the PAC from the list below:
(H) Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 14, 2025
(S) House passage as amended reported
May 20, 2025
(S) House amendment(s) laid before the Senate (S) Read (S) Senate concurs in House amendment(s) (S) Record vote (S) Reported enrolled
May 21, 2025
(H) Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported (S) Signed in the Senate (H) Signed in the House (E) Sent to the Governor
May 30, 2025
(E) Signed by the Governor (E) Effective on 9/1/25
(S) Hull signed onto the bill as Sponsor
Lobbying Against/For/On This Bill
For
(Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Anabel Ruiz for self (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Jada Lucero for self (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Joshua Ruiz for self (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Judith McGeary for self (with Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance) (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Kelley Masters for self (with Homemade Texas) (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Nina Miller for self (with Good Food Fighter) (Tue 3/11/2025) Testifying before S Health & Human Services as Samuel Hooper for self (with Institute for Justice) (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Ashley Harris for United Way (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Devon Sisneros for self (with Sun and Moon Farm) (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Jamie Olson for Feeding Texas (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Marie Miller for self (with Sustainable Food Center) (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Mary Tiernan for self (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Regina Miller for self (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as Travis McCormick for Make Texans Healthy Again (Tue 3/11/2025) Registering before S Health & Human Services as William Tiernan for self
