HCS HB 1097 & 1241 -- FOOD INSPECTION

SPONSOR:  Barry

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 10 to 1.

This substitute exempts all food sales by religious, charitable,
and nonprofit organizations at religious and charitable temporary
food events from all state laws, rules, and regulations relating
to food inspection.

The substitute also requires religious, charitable, or nonprofit
organizations to post a sign stating that all food sold at the
temporary events is exempt from all state laws, rules, and
regulations pertaining to food inspection.

Persons or entities who violate the provisions of the substitute
are guilty of an infraction.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not available at time of printing.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that some small churches in rural
areas of Missouri have discontinued major fund raising events,
such as the annual church dinner, due to the increased number of
food inspections by local health officials.  Supporters also
state that local health officials have over regulated churches
and have closed some major fund raising events.  The fund raising
events are temporary events.  Food sold at these events is
sanitary and should not be subject to over regulation by local
health officials.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Relford, Hegeman,
and Robirds.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am