Topics
Bill Information
Summary
Bill Summary
HB 1424 (now Public Law 163) creates two categories—“homestead vendors” and “small farm vendors”—and exempts them from most state and local food‑establishment regulations and extra licensing beyond what federal law requires, while still allowing investigations if there is a foodborne‑illness complaint. These vendors (under 1.5 million dollars in annual gross food sales) can sell a wide range of foods, including certain inspected meat products, prepared foods, baked goods, and produce, directly from their property, at farmers’ markets, and in some cases via direct delivery or shipping, as long as they follow basic labeling, refrigeration, handling, and storage requirements.
Why It Matters to the Make America Healthy Again Movement
The MAHA Movement supports this law because it dramatically reduces red tape for small, relationship‑based farms and homesteads selling real, minimally processed foods directly to families, helping shift food dollars away from ultra‑processed industrial products and toward local, nutrient‑dense options. By blocking state and local agencies from piling on licenses and “food establishment” rules that were designed for large processors, while preserving simple safety and disclosure requirements, HB 1424 advances MAHA’s vision of vibrant, decentralized real‑food economies built on trust between farmers and consumers.
Introduced
01/08/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
01/23/2026
Passed
03/12/2026
Enacted
03/12/2026
Sponsors
Hunter Smith
Republican Representative (IN)
Bob Morris
Republican Representative (IN)
Matthew Lehman
Republican Representative (IN)
Robb Greene
Republican Representative (IN)
Brian Buchanan
Republican Senator (IN)
Gary Byrne
Republican Senator (IN)
Tyler Johnson
Republican Senator (IN)
Eric Koch
Republican Senator (IN)
Blake Doriot
Republican Senator (IN)
Stacey Donato
Republican Senator (IN)