The 86th Texas Legislative Session ended on May 27, 2019. This year, food laws and dining rights were a hot topic for the legislature. Several food-related bills that TexasPHS profiled in a February post will become law later this year. If you have been anxiously awaiting news on whether man’s best friend can join you at your favorite watering hole or if a state food has been officially declared, keep reading. Texas has a lot of big news for foodies, restaurateurs, and aspiring in-home food enterprises.
- SB572 – Relating to foods produced by a cottage food production operation and a cottage food industry study.
- In short, this bill would allow a cottage food producer (an individual who prepares food in a home kitchen without regulatory inspection) to prepare pickled vegetables, fermented products, and canned goods that are acidified or low acid.
- The bill passed the House and Senate and was delivered to Governor Abbott on May 25, 2019 to be signed into law.
- SB425 – Relating to food allergen awareness in food service establishments.
- A food allergen awareness poster must be displayed in a visible location to the employees of a food establishment.
- The bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on February 14, 2019 and never gained traction.
- SB476 – Relating to requirements for and municipal regulation of dogs in an outdoor dining area of a food service establishment.
- A food establishment may allow dogs in an outdoor patio as long as the establishment meets certain health and safety guidelines. No Texas municipality may impose or enforce an ordinance more stringent than this.
- The bill passed the House and Senate and was delivered to Governor Abbott on May 21, 2019 to be signed into law.
- HCR57 – Designating tacos as the official state food of Texas.
- The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism on March 12, 2019.
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