HB 2054 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to liability of vendors in private farmers markets

HB 2054 limits the liability of vendors selling food or agricultural products at private farmers markets for certain claims, such as foodborne illness or product defects. It directly affects vendors operating at these markets by shielding them from lawsuits related to food safety or product issues under specific conditions. The law creates a clear legal standard, ensuring vendors aren't held personally liable for such matters when selling directly to consumers at private market locations.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Signed Jul 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

hb2054 s jud am _1 adopted.htm hb2054 sfat stuart _1 4-10 adopted.htm · 7 edits
MODERATE
This amendment simplifies and clarifies several sections of the alcohol beverage control code by removing redundant joint and several liability requirements for multi-vendor events, correcting technical errors in fee amounts and definitions, and expanding opportunities for licensed establishments to operate in outdoor designated areas. The changes also add a new special permit for qualified nonprofit organizations and clarify rules for craft cocktail growler sales and private club operations.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include a new Class S4N special permit for qualified nonprofit entities and clarified the eligibility requirements for various private club license types to operate in private outdoor designated areas.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that private farmers markets and private food courts with multiple vendors must execute a written joint and several liability agreement between all vendors.

Removed the requirement that multi-vendor fair and festival licenses include a joint and several liability agreement between vendors.

Corrected a fee amount error changing the required canned or packaged food value from $50 to $100 in mini-bar provisions.

Clarified craft cocktail growler sales requirements including food service obligations and patron eligibility verification.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new Class S4N special permit for qualified nonprofit corporate entities to operate in private outdoor designated areas with a one-time $1,500 fee.

Authorized Class S, S1, S2, and S3 licensees to participate in private outdoor designated areas on the premises of Class S4 permit holders with written permission.

DEFINITION

Corrected the fortified wine definition to change the alcohol content threshold from 22% to 24%.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 11, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2025

How they voted

2112
Passed
Total votes 33
Apr 11, 2025
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
19 Yea 12 Nay
61% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
56
Key actions
10
Committee
10
Amendments
2
Apr 28, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/28/2025
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/28/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 634)
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title amendment adopted
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 466)
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, with amendment
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
On second reading, rereferred to Judiciary
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
Without recommendation, but first rereferred to Judiciary
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 341)
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Amended
Amendment rejected (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
To House Agriculture, Commerce and Tourism
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors