An act relating to exemptions for food manufacturing establishments
Sponsored By: Jonathan Cooper (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
License fee relief for home food businesses
Beginning July 1, 2025, Vermont cottage food businesses with average gross sales of $30,000 or less avoid licensing and license fees. They must operate solely in a home kitchen or on private property and sell eligible foods. Eligible foods generally need no refrigeration or special time or temperature controls for safety. Home-canned pickles, vegetables, and fruits must meet safety limits and use an approved or safety-reviewed recipe. Those limits are a pH of 4.6 or less or water activity of 0.85 or less. The law replaces the former home-bakery exemption for average sales of $125 or less per week. Other nonbakery food manufacturers remain exempt at gross sales of $10,000 or less. For nonexempt nonbakeries, annual fees are $175 for sales of $10,001–$50,000 and $275 above $50,000. Nonexempt bakeries pay $100 for home bakeries, $200 for small commercial bakeries, or $350 for large commercial bakeries.
Food businesses face filing and safety rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, exempt Vermont food manufacturers must file yearly with the Department of Health. Their filing must confirm completion of any training required by rule; the law sets no filing fee. The health commissioner must set minimum safety and sanitation standards, including training rules for food manufacturers and their workers. These safeguards protect consumers, while businesses face filing and training duties with no stated training schedule or cost. Emergency rules are allowed before permanent rules take effect, including before July 1, 2025. The food-manufacturing rules cover cottage food operations, distributors, and warehouses, but exclude pure maple syrup processing.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jonathan Cooper
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Abbey Duke
Democratic • House
Anthony "Tony" Micklus
Republican • House
Ashley R Bartley
Republican • House
Chris Keyser
Republican • House
David "Dave" Bosch
Republican • House
David K Durfee
Democratic • House
Edye Graning
Democratic • House
Emily Carris Duncan
Democratic • House
Esme Cole
Democratic • House
Gregory "Greg" Burtt
Republican • House
Rep. Heather Surprenant
Affiliation unavailable
Herb Olson
Democratic • House
Jed Lipsky
Independent • House
John K O'Brien
Democratic • House
Joshua Dobrovich
Republican • House
Jubilee McGill
Democratic • House
Kate Lalley
Democratic • House
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells
Republican • House
Kirk White
Democratic • House
Laura H Sibilia
Independent • House
Leland J Morgan
Republican • House
Michael Boutin
Republican • House
Michael Mrowicki
Democratic • House
Michael Nigro
Democratic • House
Michelle Bos-Lun
Democratic • House
Monique Priestley
Democratic • House
Richard M Nelson
Republican • House
Robert Hunter
Democratic • House
Shawn Sweeney
Democratic • House
VL L Coffin IV
Republican • House
William "Will" Greer
Democratic • House
Zon Eastes
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 2, 2025
6/3/2025HouseSigned by Governor on June 2, 2025
6/2/2025HouseDelivered to Governor on May 27, 2025
5/27/2025HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/22/2025HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/20/2025HouseAction Calendar: Unfinished Business
5/20/2025HouseAction Calendar: Action postponed until May 20, 2025
5/19/2025HouseRep. Durfee of Shaftsbury moved to postpone action until 5/20/2025, which was agreed to
5/16/2025HouseAction Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/16/2025HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/15/2025HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/14/2025SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/13/2025SenateNew Business/Third Reading
5/13/2025Senate3rd reading ordered
5/9/2025SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to
5/9/2025SenateReported favorably by Senator Gulick for Committee on Finance
5/9/2025SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and Welfare
5/9/2025SenateFavorable report by Committee on Finance
5/9/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare
5/9/2025SenateNew Business/Second Reading
5/9/2025SenateFavorable report by Committee on Finance
5/8/2025SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare
5/8/2025SenateSecond Reading
5/8/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/8/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
5/2/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 42)Opens in a new window
6/4/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/21/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/21/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/19/2025
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/19/2025
As Passed by the House
3/27/2025
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/27/2025
As Introduced
2/26/2025
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