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SB 939

Farmed food products; authorizing certain sales of homemade and farm produced foods. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Fetgatter and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill permits direct sales of homemade and farm-produced foods without commercial licensing, reducing regulatory barriers for small food producers and entrepreneurs.

Coauthored by Representative Fetgatter (principal House author)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 939

Legislative bill overview

SB 939 expands Oklahoma's cottage food laws by authorizing the sale of certain homemade and farm-produced foods that were previously restricted or prohibited. The bill allows direct producer-to-consumer sales of specified non-potentially hazardous foods without requiring commercial licensing or inspections. This follows a national trend of states loosening regulations on small-scale food production to support local food entrepreneurs and farms.

Why is this important

Many small farmers and home-based food producers currently cannot legally sell products like jams, baked goods, dried goods, or other shelf-stable items due to commercial kitchen requirements and licensing fees—barriers that primarily affect low-income entrepreneurs and rural producers. Expanding allowable sales could increase local food access, support agricultural diversification, and reduce barriers to entry for small food businesses while potentially generating additional tax revenue.

Potential points of contention

  • Food safety concerns: Critics may argue that reducing inspection and licensing requirements increases food contamination risk, particularly for vulnerable populations, though data on existing cottage food operations shows low incident rates nationally
  • Fair competition: Conventional food producers argue that exempting homemade operations from licensing creates unequal market conditions and unfair competitive advantages
  • Ambiguity on "certain foods": The bill language references "certain" approved products without the summary detailing which specific foods qualify, leaving implementation questions about scope and enforcement

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

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