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Committee clears bill to allow sale of freeze-dried homestead foods under homestead license
Summary
HB 505, amended to require homestead food licensing and labeling for freeze-dried fruits, vegetables and commercially prepared dairy, passed the committee unanimously and was placed on the consent calendar.
The House Environment & Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to recommend HB 505, with amendment 2025-0883h, which permits sale of certain freeze-dried foods made by Homestead Food Operations under a homestead food license.
The amendment requires producers to obtain a homestead food license (the sponsor noted the license fee is $150) and restricts the covered products to fruits, vegetables and commercially prepared dairy items. Sponsor Representative Judy Aaron said the language balances market access for homestead producers with food-safety oversight by the Department of Health and Human Services’ food-safety division and includes a 120-day delayed effective date to allow rule development.
Representative Barber, who moved OTP on the amendment, described the approach as a “realistic licensing path” that preserves food-safety protections while enabling homestead entrepreneurship. Committee members said the amendment provides oversight without requiring a commercial kitchen.
Formal action: committee adopted amendment 2025-0883h (roll call 15-0), voted OTP (15-0) and later OTPA (15-0) on the bill; committee placed HB 505 on the consent calendar.
The amendment defines freeze-dried food for the purposes of the homestead exemption and adds labeling and licensing requirements intended to protect consumers while expanding market opportunities for small producers.
