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HB 304 · 2025 · House · Environment and Agriculture Committee

Homestead kitchen food labeling rules

AI-generated

relative to labeling requirements for food produced in homestead kitchens.

Details labeling requirements for food products produced in homestead kitchens.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill details labeling requirements for food products produced in homestead kitchens.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“All homestead food products sold in packages from the home [kitchen,] or farm stand of a homestead food operation, [at farmers' markets, or at retail food stores] shall have one of the following individual labels on each package containing the following information:”
Section 28:1
“Products made by homestead food operations exempt from licensure shall also be clearly labeled with the following statement:”
Section 28:1
“"This product is exempt from New Hampshire licensing and inspection." (2) Products made by nonexempt homestead food operations shall also be clearly labeled with the following statement:”
Section 28:1

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
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration

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

Public testimony

67 signed in online · 12 wrote testimony

81% support18% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Anything we can do to lower the restrictions on more local food being produced on a small-scale for our local communities builds resiliency and trust to our local food systems. The public should be allowed more options to support local food.…”
— Linh Aven, Nottinghamsupports
“I support HB 304 because it increases consumer freedom by allowing consumers to have greater access to cottage food goods in New Hampshire and would keep more of the food dollar in local communities with the increase in locally-produced foods consumers can obtain.”
— Diane Hashem, Thorntonsupports
“Please make it easier for small businesses to survive and thrive.”
— Janet Oliver, BARRINGTONsupports
“I urge you to OPPOSE HB304. This bill is ridiculous! Every Granite Stater has a right to privacy, as you will see from the New Hampshire Constitution Part First Article 2-b (https://www.nh.gov/glance/bill-of-rights.htm) and this bill would directly violate the New Hampshire Constitution.…”
— James Gardner, Keeneopposes
“Please do not allow ingredients to be posted on a website or with a QR code. Those of us with food allergies depend on ingredient transparency and accountability.”
— Rhianna Rakip, Nashuaopposes
“I oppose this bill because it will add needless requirements that will drive up costs for us and our customers and will serve as a barrier for entry for other small businesses.…”
— Eric Maxwell, Salisburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Environment and Agriculture4:48:08–4:54:536m 45slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Commerce57:49–59:461m 57slocated in the stream transcript==TIME CHANGE== Hearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Environment and Agriculture HJ 2 P. 14
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 01:30 pm LOB 301-303
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 01:30 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, 10:15 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, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
  11. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  12. May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 28; eff.07/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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