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SF 9

A bill for an act establishing license fees for food processing plants.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Green

Bill SF 9 sets tiered licensing fees for food processing plants based on sales, enhancing food safety while easing costs for small, farm-based operations.

Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
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Bill Summary · SF 9

Summary of Bill SF 9: Establishing License Fees for Food Processing Plants

Purpose and Intent

Bill SF 9 aims to establish a structured fee system for licensing food processing plants based on their annual gross food and beverage sales. The intent is to create a fair and scalable licensing fee structure that reflects the size and revenue of food processing operations, thereby supporting regulatory oversight and ensuring food safety.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following changes to the existing licensing fee structure under Code section 137F.6:

  1. Annual License Fees:

    • For food processing plants, the annual license fee will be determined by their gross sales:
      • Less than $200,000: $150
      • $200,000 to less than $2 million: $300
      • $2 million or more: $500

  2. Special Provision for Farm-Based Processing:

    • Food processing plants operating on a farm or private residence that process and sell officially packaged meat or poultry from animals raised by the licensee will have a reduced fee of $75.

Affected Parties

  • Food Processing Plants: The bill directly impacts businesses engaged in the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or storing of food for human consumption.
  • Farmers and Small Producers: Those operating food processing plants on their premises will benefit from the reduced fee, potentially encouraging local food production and sales.
  • Consumers: The regulation aims to enhance food safety and quality, indirectly benefiting consumers by ensuring that food processing plants meet safety standards.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: January 13, 2025
  • Current Status: The bill has been recommended for amendment and passage by a subcommittee as of January 28, 2025.
  • Subcommittee Composition: Members include Green, Knox, and Sires.
  • Next Steps: The bill will proceed to further legislative discussions and potential voting.

Background

The bill amends existing regulations under Code chapter 137F, which governs commercial food preparation and sales. The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing administers these regulations. The previous fee structure was revised in 2023, and this bill seeks to refine it further to better align with the operational realities of food processing plants.

By establishing a tiered fee system, the bill aims to balance the regulatory burden on food processing operations while ensuring that public health and safety standards are maintained.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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