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Bill Summary · SB 481

SB 481 — On‑Farm Home Processing License — Revenue Limit — Prohibition (Maryland)

Summary / Purpose

SB 481 would have removed a statutory or regulatory dollar limit on sales from foods produced under an on‑farm home processing (cottage‑food) license and explicitly prohibited the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) from limiting the amount of revenue a license holder may derive from such food. The bill sought to expand market opportunities for small farm operators who process food in a home or domestic kitchen located on their farm.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new statutory subsection (proposed Article — Health — General §21‑309.3) stating:
    • A license issued to an individual who owns a farm to process food in a home/domestic kitchen located on the owner’s farm is an “on‑farm home processing license.”
    • The Department of Health may not cap the amount of revenue the holder of that license may derive from food processed under the license.
  • Repeals the $40,000 sales limit for foods processed under an on‑farm home processing license in MDH regulations (COMAR 10.15.04.15) and directs MDH to update COMAR to reflect the repeal by October 1, 2025.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2025 (statutory provision stated).

Who would be affected

  • Primary: Small farmers and cottage‑food operators who hold or seek an on‑farm home processing license in Maryland — particularly those whose on‑farm food sales exceed the existing $40,000 threshold.
  • Secondary: MDH (rulemaking and enforcement), local health authorities, and potentially retail partners and consumers of on‑farm products.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 19, 2025.
  • Sponsors listed in the bill text: Senators Gallion and Hester (bill header).
  • Required administrative action: MDH was directed to amend COMAR 10.15.04.15 by October 1, 2025.
  • Status: Withdrawn by sponsor on February 24, 2025 — the bill did not advance to enactment in this form.

Potential implications / considerations

  • Removing the revenue cap would expand market access and business scale for licensed on‑farm processors.
  • May raise regulatory considerations for food safety oversight, inspection frequency, and labeling/consumer protection if businesses scale up under the cottage/on‑farm framework.
  • Administrative impact on MDH rulemaking (revising COMAR) would be required if the policy were later reintroduced and enacted.

Note: Multiple bills numbered “SB 481” appear in different states and legislative sessions; this summary addresses the Maryland on‑farm home processing license version described above.

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

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