HB462 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Margie WilcoxRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Food service, prohibiting Public Health Dept. from regulating intermittent food service establishments

Summary

HB462 would bar state and local health departments from regulating or requiring permits for intermittent food service stands at regional celebrations, while requiring a consumer warning placard and preserving limited safety powers.

What This Bill Does

HB462 would bar the Alabama Department of Public Health and county health departments from regulating or requiring permits for intermittent food service establishments that operate only during regional celebrations or traditions. It defines intermittent food service establishments and regional celebrations, and limits operation to up to three days per week at a single location. It requires these establishments to display a conspicuous placard informing customers that the establishment does not have a state food permit and that eating is at their own risk. It keeps the health department's authority to stop sale, seize, or hold food in cases of suspected foodborne illness triggered by medical complaints.

Who It Affects

• Intermittent food service establishments that operate only during regional celebrations or traditions would no longer need state or county health permits and would be required to display a warning placard.
• Consumers attending regional celebration events would be informed that the stand is unpermitted and that eating is at their own risk.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health and county health departments would lose regular permit/regulation authority over these stands, but could still act on suspected foodborne illness.
• Organizers and hosts of regional celebrations may experience reduced regulatory burdens for temporary food stands.

Key Provisions

• Defines intermittent food service establishment as a non-regular food seller that operates up to three days per week at a single location for regional events.
• Defines regional celebration as a recurring local or regional event that involves the community and may include food-related activities.
• Prohibits the Department and county health departments from regulating or requiring permits for intermittent food service establishments operating in relation to regional celebrations.
• Requires a placard at least 11 by 17 inches with specified wording to inform consumers that no state permit exists and that consumption is at the consumer's own risk.
• Preserves the department's power to issue stop-sale, seize, or hold orders in response to a foodborne illness complaint.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Health Department