Food and Food Products - As enacted, clarifies that a person 19 or older does not need a license or permit to sell bakery goods, homemade or otherwise; soft drinks; or other similar food commodities if the person is supporting a 501(c)(3) organization, and a component of such organization's mission is to provide temporary accommodations for children in relationship to their placement in the custody of the department of children's services. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 14.
SB 1821 amends Tennessee's food safety law to exclude certain nonprofits (like churches, temples, civic groups, and veteran organizations) from being classified as "food service establishments" when volunteers prepare, serve, transport, or store food. This change removes these organizations from requiring food safety permits or inspections under the law, regardless of how often volunteers handle food. The exemption specifically excludes storage of unopened canned food, non-hazardous packaged bulk food, and dry goods from the definition. This bill directly affects volunteer-run nonprofits that serve food at events, simplifying their regulatory compliance.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Last action Apr 24, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
5
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Adam Lowe
RRepublican
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