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House panel clears bill allowing portable chemical toilets at small agritourism food sites after brief floor questions
Summary
A bill that would allow portable chemical toilets as an alternative to built restrooms at certain small agritourism food establishments drew brief floor questions before the House adopted the committee's favorable report and ordered the bill printed for third reading.
The Maryland House of Delegates considered House Bill 559 on Feb. 19, 2025, a measure concerning standards for portable chemical toilets at certain food establishments located in agritourism areas. The chamber adopted the committee's favorable report and ordered the bill printed for third reading after brief floor questioning.
Why it matters: the bill clarifies where portable chemical toilets may be used in lieu of constructed restrooms for cost reasons, potentially affecting class 4 limited wineries and class 8 farm breweries that operate in agritourism zones.
Discussion and context: a delegate asked whether the bill would allow portable chemical toilets to be placed inside food establishments, noting a personal preference against mixing portable toilets and food operations. A floor respondent explained the bill does not permit porta-potties inside food establishments but permits placement in agritourism settings (class 4 limited wineries and class 8 farm breweries) as an affordable alternative to installing built bathrooms. The respondent also noted hand-washing stations are required.
Outcome and next steps: the House adopted the favorable report by voice vote and ordered the bill printed for third reading. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript for this action. The bill will appear on the third-reading calendar for future final passage votes.
Ending: the measure advanced without further floor amendments recorded in the transcript; additional debate or amendments could occur on subsequent readings if scheduled.
