From alcohol to homemade foods: New Oklahoma food and beverage laws

A few bills affecting Oklahoma purveyors of food and beverage have made their way to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt in the last several months and received his signature.

The governor signed Senate Bill 2001, allowing straw testing and formalizing emergency rules created by the ABLE Commission regarding educational staff tastings into law on April 22. This law, probably the most widely discussed for food and beverage, was passed with advocacy and lobbying from groups, including the Oklahoma Restaurant Association on behalf of local restaurants, bars and more, who risked backlash for commonplace and industry standard actions. That bill went into effect immediately.

More: Updated law to allow educational alcohol tasting for restaurant workers heads to governor's desk

Other food and beverage bills impacting producers and venues throughout the state also have been signed by Stitt and will take effect of Nov. 1:

HB 3571 removes requirement for checking IDs before serving alcohol

House Bill 3571, or Odell's Law, which removes the requirement for businesses to check IDs before serving alcohol and allows businesses to use their discretion on whether or not to check IDs, was signed by Stitt last week.

“I authored House Bill 3571 after a friend of mine, who recently turned 90, was denied a beer because he didn't have his ID,” said Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, who authored the bill. “Odell's Law would remove the cumbersome requirement to check somebody’s ID before selling them alcohol, allowing people over the legal drinking age to purchase alcohol even if they've forgotten their ID or don’t wish to show it. HB 3571 does not prohibit a company policy that requires ID verification. This is common sense legislation.”

Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said businesses will still be held responsible if they serve alcohol to minors.

“I appreciate the governor for signing this common sense legislation that allows businesses to use their discretion regarding ID checks," Weaver said. "This bill not only streamlines operations but also ensures that Oklahomans who are clearly of legal drinking age are not unnecessarily inconvenienced. It was a pleasure to work with Representative Manger on this practical policy that reflects our state’s pro-business values for citizens and establishments alike."

HB 2975 privatizes information for producers of homemade foods

House Bill 2975, authored by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, was signed by Stitt in mid-April. It amends the Homemade Food Freedom Act to allow producers of homemade food products to obtain a registration number to affix to their product labels. Current legislation requires that these producers list their name, phone number and the physical address where the food is produced on all products sold.

"This is for the safety of the people that make food for sale in their homes," West said. "The government should have record of a producer's personal information in case there needs to be some recourse for a product sold, but the general public does not need a seller's private phone number or physical address. This also should help cut down on identity theft or fraud."

A constituent who makes and sells homemade food products at local outlets such as farmers markets and area stores sparked West's idea for the bill, but producers will still have to adhere to a list of safety guidelines.

Product labels must list ingredients, including common allergens, as well as note that they were produced in a private residence that is exempt from government licensing and inspection.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma food and beverage bills signed into law this session