IndianaHB 1424Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)HouseWALLET

Farm and homestead food sales.

Sponsored By: Hunter Smith (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

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.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Fewer food rules for small farms

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana limits state and local food rules for qualifying homestead vendors and small farms. Homestead vendors prepare and sell food from their primary residence, agricultural property, or a farmers market. Their annual gross food and meat sales cannot exceed $1.5 million. Small farms must mainly grow crops or raise livestock, with annual gross meat, crop, and food sales at or below $1.5 million. State and local agencies cannot add licensing, certification, or other rules unless federal law requires them. Covered sellers are exempt from the state's existing food-establishment requirements and related time-and-temperature safety rules. Sellers can sell prepared foods, including baked goods, candy, produce, natural sweeteners, fruit spreads, and qualifying meat directly to consumers. Sales take place at the qualifying property or a farmers market, with products primarily derived from the specified location. Meat must come from animals raised on the seller's property and meet state slaughter, processing, and labeling standards. Meat refrigeration and safe handling, transport, and storage duties remain, as do federal rules and authority to investigate foodborne-illness complaints.

Farm food sellers must add disclosures

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered homestead vendors and small-farm owners must provide disclosures for homemade foods. Packaged foods need labels; unpackaged foods need signs. Each must give the producer's name and address, describe the product, and identify possible allergens. Ingredients must appear in order from greatest to least weight. A notice in at least 10-point type must say the producer is exempt from government licensing and inspection.

Farm buildings get relief with limits

Beginning July 1, 2026, public buildings on qualifying homestead-vendor or small-farm property are exempt from specified state building-code requirements. Buildings, structures, and stands used mainly for on-site sales also get a simpler approval path. Under this path, they do not need Class 1 building classification, design release, plan review, building permits, or occupancy certificates. Structures with plumbing in a sewer district, or eligible for public sewer connection, need a utility letter confirming service availability. Outside a sewer district, owners need a new or modified septic construction permit. Written local health department confirmation that the existing sewage system has enough capacity is an alternative. These exemptions do not allow placement in public rights-of-way, utility easements, or other restricted areas. Local rules for road access, setbacks, parking, and signs remain in force.

Farm food deliveries require certification

Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying Indiana homestead vendors and small farms can ship or deliver directly to consumers. Food and meat products must be in sealed packages. Sellers must hold a food handler's certificate from an issuer accredited by the American National Standards Institute. Sellers without that certificate cannot ship or deliver to consumers. Shipping or delivery to consumers outside Indiana is prohibited.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hunter Smith

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Blake Doriot

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Buchanan

    Republican • Senate

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

  • Gary Byrne

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Lehman

    Republican • House

  • Robb Greene

    Republican • House

  • Robert Morris

    Republican • House

  • Stacey Donato

    Republican • Senate

  • Tyler Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 188 • No: 42

House vote • 2/26/2026

House concurred with Senate amendments

Yes: 74 • No: 12

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 38 • No: 10

House vote • 1/22/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 76 • No: 20

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/12/2026House
  2. Public Law 163

    3/12/2026House
  3. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    3/5/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    3/2/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  6. House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 397: yeas 74, nays 12

    2/26/2026House
  7. Motion to concur filed

    2/25/2026House
  8. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/25/2026Senate
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 263: yeas 38, nays 10

    2/24/2026Senate
  10. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    2/23/2026Senate
  11. Senators Koch, Doriot, Donato added as cosponsors

    2/19/2026Senate
  12. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/19/2026Senate
  13. Senator Byrne added as second sponsor

    2/12/2026Senate
  14. Senator Johnson T added as cosponsor

    2/12/2026Senate
  15. First reading: referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology

    1/27/2026Senate
  16. Referred to the Senate

    1/23/2026House
  17. Senate sponsor: Senator Buchanan

    1/22/2026House
  18. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 84: yeas 76, nays 20

    1/22/2026House
  19. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    1/20/2026House
  20. Amendment #1 (Smith H) prevailed; voice vote

    1/20/2026House
  21. Amendment #3 (Garcia Wilburn) prevailed; voice vote

    1/20/2026House
  22. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    1/13/2026House
  23. Coauthored by Representatives Morris, Lehman, Greene

    1/8/2026House
  24. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Health

    1/8/2026House
  25. Authored by Representative Smith H

    1/8/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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