SB142 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Self-service food vendors, vending machines and micro markets defined, Agriculture and Industries to regulate
Summary: SB142 defines micro markets and vending machines and moves regulatory oversight from the Department of Public Health to the Department of Agriculture and Industries.
What This Bill Does
It defines what a micro market, a micro market display, and a vending machine are. It says that vending machines and certain micro markets will not be regulated by the Department of Public Health. Instead, the Department of Agriculture and Industries will regulate micro markets and vending machines. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved.

Who It Affects
Owners/operators of vending machines and micro markets: they will be regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Industries instead of the Department of Public Health.
State regulatory agencies: the Department of Public Health loses regulatory authority over vending machines and micro markets, while the Department of Agriculture and Industries gains that authority.

Key Provisions
Defines micro market as an unstaffed, self-checkout retail food service facility located indoors within a separate building, with one or more micro market displays and an automated payment kiosk or similar device operated by the consumer.
Defines micro market display as the place where food is shown, including open racks, refrigerated units with automated self-locking features, vending machines, beverage dispensers, and single-serve coffee brewers.
Defines vending machine as a self-service device that dispenses food after payment or operation, without needing replenishment between uses.
Exempts vending machines and certain micro markets from the regulatory authority of the Department of Public Health and assigns regulation of micro markets and vending machines to the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with specified exceptions; effective date is the first day of the third month after enactment.

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