SB137 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Self-service food vendors, vending machines and micro markets defined, Agriculture and Industries to regulate

Summary

SB 137 would move the regulation of self-service food vendors—vending machines and micro markets—from the Department of Public Health to the Department of Agriculture and Industries in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Defines what constitutes a micro market and a vending machine. Exempts micro markets and vending machines and the food and beverages they sell from regulation by the Department of Public Health. Assigns regulatory authority over micro markets and vending machines to the Department of Agriculture and Industries. Establishes an effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Operators and owners of vending machines and micro markets would be regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Industries instead of the Department of Public Health.
• The Department of Public Health would lose regulatory authority over micro markets and vending machines, with oversight transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Key Provisions

• Micro Market: an unstaffed, self-checkout indoor food service facility with a payment kiosk and a separate display area, generally accessible only to people inside the building.
• Vending Machine: a self-service device that dispenses food or beverages upon payment, without needing restocking between transactions.
• Exemption from Public Health regulation: micro markets and vending machines and their food/beverages are not regulated by the Department of Public Health.
• Regulation by Agriculture and Industries: the Department of Agriculture and Industries will regulate micro markets and vending machines, with certain statutory references noted for alignment with existing law.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health Department