SB 282

This bill would authorize the storage, sale, and dispensing of agricultural products by weight through vending machines

This bill would require that the price per unit of weight be clearly indicated on the machine and would require that the machine satisfy all applicable building, electrical, and fire code requirements

This bill would provide that the vending machine would be subject to all state and local taxation and would facilitate the reporting to an owner or operator by a consumer of problems or issues with the machine

This bill would also require the Department of Agriculture and Industries to routinely inspect vending machines to ensure the accuracy of the weights and measures

Relating to agricultural products; to define terms; to authorize the storage, selling, and dispensing of agricultural products by weight through vending machines; to require compliance with applicable building, electrical, and fire codes; to provide that sales from the machine are subject to all applicable state and local taxes; to provide for the reporting of issues or problems with the machine by a consumer; and to require the Department of Agriculture and Industries to routinely inspect vending machines for accuracy in weights and measures.

Section 1

For the purposes of this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. Oats, rye, shelled corn, wheat, barley, cotton seed hulls, seeds, wild game feeds, rock salt, and protein pellets. (2) VENDING MACHINE. A freestanding machine that makes, stores, and dispenses agricultural products for a price upon demand of a consumer and without an attendant.

Section 2

Commencing on the effective date of this act, an individual or business entity may store, sell, and dispense agricultural products by weight from a vending machine.

Section 3

(a)(1) Agricultural products shall be sold by weight in pounds or another measure of weight clearly indicated on the vending machine. (2) The vending machine may accept cash or credit or debit cards as a medium of exchange and the price per unit of weight shall be clearly indicated on the vending machine. (3) The vending machine shall satisfy all applicable building, electrical, and fire code requirements. (4) Sales of agricultural products from the vending machine shall be subject to all applicable state and local taxes. (b) To facilitate the reporting of problems or issues with the vending machine, the name of the owner or operator of the vending machine and contact information of the owner or operator, including a telephone number, shall be clearly visible on the vending machine. (c) If an agricultural product dispensed from the vending machine is subject to other state laws or rules, the owner or operator of the vending machine shall comply with those laws or rules. (d)(1) The Department of Agriculture and Industries shall routinely inspect vending machines dispensing agricultural products to ensure the accuracy of the machine's weights and measures. A vending machine dispensing agricultural products is not subject to certification by the National Conference on Weights and Measures in order to operate in this state and is not required to obtain an NTEP Certificate of Conformance. (2) A vending machine dispensing agricultural products in operation prior to the effective date of this act may continue to operate and shall be subject to an inspection by the Department of Agriculture and Industries not later than October 1, 2018. (3) The Department of Agriculture and Industries may adopt rules for the implementation and administration of this act.

Section 4

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.