SB282 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Vending machines, sale of corn in, authorized, inspection by Agriculture and Industries Dept, required

Summary

This bill allows vending machines to store, sell, and dispense certain agricultural products by weight and sets rules for pricing, safety, taxes, reporting, and state inspections.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes storage, sale, and dispensing of defined agricultural products by weight through vending machines. The machine must clearly show the price per unit of weight and the weight, accept cash or card payments, and meet building, electrical, and fire codes. Sales are subject to state and local taxes, and the owner or operator must display contact information on the machine for reporting problems. The Department of Agriculture and Industries will routinely inspect machines to ensure weight accuracy, and these machines are not NCWM certified or NTEP conformant; existing machines must be inspected by October 1, 2018.

Who It Affects

• Vending machine owners and operators who store, sell, and dispense defined agricultural products by weight, who must ensure pricing, safety codes, taxes, and signage.
• Consumers who use these vending machines to buy agricultural products, who can report problems and will see the owner or operator contact information on the machine.

Key Provisions

• Defines agricultural products to include oats, rye, shelled corn, wheat, barley, cotton seed hulls, seeds, wild game feeds, rock salt, and protein pellets.
• Authorizes the storage, sale, and dispensing of agricultural products by weight through vending machines.
• Requires price per unit of weight and the weight to be clearly indicated on the machine and allows cash or credit/debit payments.
• Requires the machine to meet applicable building, electrical, and fire codes.
• Sales from the machine are subject to all applicable state and local taxes.
• Owner or operator's name and contact information must be clearly visible on the machine to facilitate problem reporting.
• Owner or operator must comply with other applicable state laws or rules for the dispensed product.
• The Department of Agriculture and Industries must routinely inspect vending machines to ensure weights and measures are accurate.
• Vending machines dispensing agricultural products are not subject to NCWM certification and do not require NTEP conformance.
• Existing machines may continue to operate but must be inspected by October 1, 2018.
• Effective date: immediately after governor approves the act.

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

Subjects

Agriculture