Northern Mariana IslandsSB 24-3124th Northern Mariana Islands Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

Cottage Food & Micronenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Act 2025

Sponsored By: Paul Atalig Manglona (Independent)

Enacted

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Home food businesses face $1,000 fines

EHDP can periodically inspect cottage food and home meal businesses. Violating the law or operating without required registration or a permit carries a $1,000 fine per violation. Violations can also lead to permit suspension or revocation. Repeated violations can bar operators from running either type of business. EHDP must establish rules and procedures within six months of the law’s effective date.

Home food sales allowed with rules

In the CNMI, cottage food businesses can sell low-risk foods that do not spoil easily. These include baked goods, preserves, dried foods, dry mixes, and other foods approved by Environmental Health Disease Prevention (EHDP). Operators must register annually, complete EHDP food-safety training, and get an EHDP food handlers certificate. Labels must list the business name and address, all ingredients, applicable allergen warnings, and a home-kitchen statement. Class A businesses sell directly, including from home, at farmers’ markets, or through local online sales. Class B businesses can also sell through stores, cafés, and restaurants.

Home meal sales allowed with limits

In the CNMI, home meal businesses can sell freshly cooked breakfast, lunch, or dinner directly to customers. They need an annually renewed EHDP permit and a home-kitchen inspection before approval. Annual sales cannot exceed $50,000. Sales are limited to 30 meals per day and 60 per week, subject to EHDP adjustment. At least one full-time food handler must be certified in food safety, and operators must maintain safe handling and sanitation. Meals must be prepared and sold the same day; leftovers cannot be stored. Pre-packaged or mass-produced foods, wholesale sales, and third-party sales are prohibited.

Residential utility rates for home food businesses

Qualifying cottage food and home meal businesses pay residential rates for electricity, water, and wastewater instead of commercial rates. They must provide eligibility documents to their utility provider. This rate protection lasts while they maintain the law’s business qualifications and operating requirements. The law gives no rate amounts or dollar estimate of savings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Paul Atalig Manglona
Independent • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/23/2025

Roll call on SB 24-31