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HB 279 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Study of homestead food recipes

AI-generated

establishing a committee to study recipe and process approval for homestead foods.

Establishes a committee to study recipe and process approval for homestead food operations.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 30, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a committee to study recipe and process approval for homestead foods.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Peter BixbyDPrimeRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

Also: Rep. Deborah AylwardR, Rep. Barbara ComtoisR, Rep. Megan MurrayD

Public testimony

47 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

83% support11% oppose6% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I started a small sourdough cottage bakery in August of 2024. This bill would help allow me to occasionally offer special items, which would engage and draw in a new customer base.…”
— Sheila Fowler, Center Barnsteadsupports
“I produce homestead foods in NH and the hurdles to introducing new recipes to my customers is insane in this state! As part of a former military family, I have participated in cottage foods all over this country and NH is one of the most restrictive I have ever worked in.…”
— Tara Stolz, Milfordsupports
“I am both a market gardener and President of Gilmanton's Own, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization with a mission of supporting local agriculture and farmers.…”
— Virginia Sapiro, Gilmantonsupports
“I would like to see a subject matter expert on this committee, such as a member of the DHHS Bureau of Public Health Protection Food Protection Section staff.”
— Patricia Anastasia, Londonderryneutral
“Neutral because opening this would require a lot of pros and cons before deciding”
— Megan Ferentino, South Hamptonneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-111:00 pmHouse Environment and AgricultureLOB 301-303Public hearing
  • 2025-03-259:30 amSenate CommerceSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 01:00 pm LOB 301-303
  4. Feb 11, 2025House: Ought to Pass 02/11/2025 (Vote 13-0; CC) HC 12 P. 6
  5. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 6
  6. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 7
  7. Mar 25, 2025Sen==TIME CHANGE== Hearing: 03/25/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:00 am; SC 14
  8. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  9. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  10. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-1805e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  11. May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-1805e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 32
  12. May 8, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/08/2025); SJ 13
  13. May 8, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 59
  14. May 29, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/29/2025; Chapter 44; eff. 05/29/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.