HB402Introduced in the House of Delegates
Cottage food laws; sale of certain food over phone and internet, report.
Introduced by Katrina Callsen, District 54
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Cottage food laws; sale of certain food over phone and internet; work group; report. Expands the exemption from state inspection requirements for private homes where the resident processes and prepares certain food products, including pickles and other acidified vegetables, to allow for such person to sell such products at any location, through the internet, or by telephone to an individual in the Commonwealth for his own consumption and deliver such products in person, by mail, or by delivery service subject to certain restrictions. Current law only allows for the sale to take place in person at the private home, a temporary event, or a farmer's market. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a work group to examine the structural, equipment, and facility standards for private homes in the Commonwealth producing products that do not meet the cottage food law exemptions. The bill requires the work group to complete its meetings by November 1, 2026, and report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources by the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0605)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 9, 2026
39
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Absent |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102431D
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Assigned HACNR sub: Agriculture
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB402)
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)
Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106526D-H1
Read first time
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB402)
Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (13-Y 2-N)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB402ER)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB402)
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 605 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0605)
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