Bill In Texas For Legal Home Bakeries! Calling All Texans!

Decorating By kelleym Updated 7 Feb 2011 , 11:14pm by kelleym

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kelleym Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 3:34pm
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Ok everyone, we have a bill! It is HB 3282. Here is a link to the PDF:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/HB03282I.pdf

Here is a brief summary of what is in the bill (currently):

  • - Home kitchens would 'register' with the Department of Health.
    - An inspection would NOT be required for registration, but the Dept. of Health could inspect your kitchen if they have cause to believe you are operating an unsanitary kitchen.
    - Food handler's permit would be required for registration.
    - The registration would be for non-potentially hazardous foods only.
    - There is currently a section in the bill for potentially hazardous foods. This will be taken out in committee. Do not worry about it, it's going away.
    - There would be a registration fee, set by the DoH.


A lot of people are asking me, "what's next?". Here is a description of how a bill becomes a law in Texas:
http://www.rfatexas.org/TXbill.htm

In short, the Speaker of the House will assign the bill to a committee, probably Public Health. At that point, the fate of the bill lies with the committee. I will speak to Patrick today (hopefully) about what the best tactic should be for ensuring that the committee gives it fair consideration and a public hearing. I do believe we WANT the opportunity to show up en masse and tell them how important this is to us. (Capitol Cake Walk, baby!!)

Thank you again to everyone who has called, written, or faxed. It has paid off big time, but we are just now beginning the real battle.

I have posted everything I know. I will post more details as soon as they are available.

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chefjulie Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 3:38pm
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AWESOME!!!

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Teekakes Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 3:40pm
post #3 of 2039

Wow, Kelly!! This is awesome!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your hard work on this matter!!!!! Hopefully this will pass and we can become legal bakers in our homes! thumbs_up.gif

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yellobutterfly Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 3:51pm
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I'M SO EXCITED I'M SO EXCITED I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! icon_biggrin.gificon_eek.gificon_lol.gif

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cakesdivine Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 3:55pm
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You are amazing Kelley! Thank you so much for spearheading all this. I guess now we pray!

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sweet1122 Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:04pm
post #6 of 2039

This is awesome, amazing, fantastic! Reading all of that, we have a long way to go... I'm wondering if anyone knows time lines on this... What kind of time frame are we looking at?

Thanks for all your hard work. I will drive across the great state for a capitol cake walk if that day comes!

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tx_cupcake Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:04pm
post #7 of 2039

Cake Walk Austin 2009!!! YEAH BABY!!! cowboy.gif

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kelleym Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:23pm
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Just got off the phone with Patrick in Rep. Gattis' office.

1. The bills are being read and assigned at the rate of "a couple hundred a day". They are currently around 2400, so it may be next week until ours (HB 3282) is read and assigned to committee.

2. He asks that we wait until the committee is assigned for sure before we start lobbying committee members.

3. It is best if we find constituents of the committee members to contact them, although we are all welcome to.

He has mentioned several times - if there is a public hearing, it is VERY important that LOTS of people show up to testify. I have promised him that we will. I think it would be great if we could number in the hundreds. We need to show these guys how important this is to Texans.

You can go to the House web site, create a login, and sign up to receive alerts when there is a status change to this bill, HB 3282. I am still figuring out how it works myself, but here is the link:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx

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missnnaction Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:28pm
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Kelleym, what a fantastic job you've done. I hope that the bill is passed and that this can trinkle over here to Mississippi.

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tx_cupcake Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:33pm
post #10 of 2039

I am registered and ready to go! thumbs_up.gif

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lanibird Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:37pm
post #11 of 2039

Ok, I'll start PMing Texas CC members again.

Going memberlist by location backwards, there were over 500 members from Wylie to Lubbock! We've got the numbers! icon_biggrin.gif

If I PM and you already know about this, I apologize in advance. I'm not really lookin' at names, just lookin' for the TX in the location! thumbs_up.gif

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AuntEm Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:40pm
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At this point should we still be contacting our representatives? or should we wait till it is assigned a committee.

Thanks For all your hard work!!!!

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nickshalfpint Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:41pm
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WOW! If you could get this done in Texas, maybe California has a chance thumbs_up.gif Good luck you guys!!!!!

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kelleym Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:46pm
post #14 of 2039
Quote:
Originally Posted by AuntEm

At this point should we still be contacting our representatives? or should we wait till it is assigned a committee.

Thanks For all your hard work!!!!




Although it will be in the hands of the committee, you can still keep calling your Senators and Representatives. Tell them about House Bill 3282, ask them to read it, and tell them in your own words how important it is to you. Asking them to read it is important! With thousands of bills filed, they can't possibly read every one.

In the words of the old Clinton '92 campaign, "it's the economy, stupid". The $200 extra that a legal cake maker could earn from doing cakes on the side could be the difference between making the mortgage payment or not. Or going on food stamps or not. Hammer on the point of jobs, REAL "stimulus" for Texans, and the economy.

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FeGe_Cakes Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:50pm
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I think we could rally on Capital Hill as long as we have enough notice. This is very exciting.

Thanks Kelly!

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FeGe_Cakes Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:53pm
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I had to post this. (The lyrics to "I'm just a Bill")

Boy: Woof! You sure gotta climb a lot of steps to get to this Capitol Building here in Washington. But I wonder who that sad little scrap of paper is?

I'm just a bill.
Yes, I'm only a bill.
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law someday
At least I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage.

Bill: Well I got this far. When I started, I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea. Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called their local Congressman and he said, "You're right, there oughta be a law." Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

I'm just a bill
Yes I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill.
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss and debate
Whether they should let me be a law.
How I hope and pray that they will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Listen to those congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?

Bill: Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they decide to report on me favourably, otherwise I may die.

Boy: Die?

Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Oooh, but it looks like I'm gonna live! Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.

Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?

Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.

Boy: Oh no!

Bill: Oh yes!

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law.
How I hope and pray that he will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: You mean even if the whole Congress says you should be a law, the president can still say no?

Bill: Yes, that's called a veto. If the President vetoes me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote on me again, and by that time you're so old...

Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?

Bill: No!

But how I hope and I pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Congressman: He signed you, Bill! Now you're a law!

Bill: Oh yes!!!

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jlynnw Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:55pm
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I am so excited! Watch out Austin - here we come! Just talked with DH, he is spreading the news and will start sending out the info tonight when he gets back. (He does the computer stuff) My daughter helps too. What kind of TShirts were you wanting to do for the March 2009

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kelleym Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 4:58pm
post #18 of 2039
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlynnw

I am so excited! Watch out Austin - here we come! Just talked with DH, he is spreading the news and will start sending out the info tonight when he gets back. (He does the computer stuff) My daughter helps too. What kind of TShirts were you wanting to do for the March 2009




Shirts are a fantastic idea. Let's wait until we know if/when we get a public hearing, then I'll talk to Kyla (president of Capital Confectioners) about ordering shirts from the same people who did the ones for the Austin show. The club members were able to order them for cost, about $8/each, so hopefully we can get a good deal like that again. Don't hold me to that number though! icon_biggrin.gif

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Twopeasinapod Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:03pm
post #19 of 2039

SOOO excited!!! This is awesome! Just think we are only a couple of steps away from being legal!!!!

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higginspeg Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:04pm
post #20 of 2039

FeGe Cakes - you are so funny. I had to sing it last night, the first part which was all I knew, when my DH and i were talking about what's next!

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sillywabbitz Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:28pm
post #21 of 2039

I am so excited to hear this. Is it too late to write? should I write someone difference?

Please let us know what we can do to help.

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southaustingirl Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:29pm
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i was just wondering if anyone has read/heard about anyone opposing the bill.....like people that currently have a legal business? Will they also show up by the hundreds to oppose this bill?

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jlynnw Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:31pm
post #23 of 2039

We WILL have our hearing. I will only think positive thoughts No IFS ANDS or BUTS! I am determined this is going thru. the little ole bill WILL be a Law someday (soon). Thanks for all your work and to all those that have helped!

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kelleym Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:33pm
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Quote:
Quote:

i was just wondering if anyone has read/heard about anyone opposing the bill.....like people that currently have a legal business? Will they also show up by the hundreds to oppose this bill?




I am sure the restaurant lobby will come out against it, and others. I do not think they will have the shear numbers and emotion that we will. That is why it is so important for everyone to come to the public hearing.

Sillywabbitz, see my post at the bottom of page 1 for what to do right now. Calling is better than letters.

www.TexasCottageFoodLaw.com/HowToHelp.htm

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tx_cupcake Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:56pm
post #25 of 2039

It seems to me that the restaurant lobby wouldn't have much to stand on since we would be selling low-risk foods. Plus, there is precedent in other states where home bakeries have proven to be safe.

I'm going to see if my local Michael's and Joann's will let me post something on their bulletin boards.

I think we can do it, y'all! I can't wait!

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Cakepro Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 5:56pm
post #26 of 2039

How awesome that Gattis filed the bill! I have called a couple of friends who are lobbyists in Austin to see about getting some help in lobbying the members of whatever committee this bill lands in.

However, if the bill dies in committee this legislative session, an association of members needs to be formed so we will have more of an impact during the next legislative session. A lot can be done in 2 years' time if we all work hard.

Everyone should keep calling, networking, and praying!

Kelly, thank you for all of your hard work!

Sherri

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jlynnw Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 6:38pm
post #27 of 2039

Senator Troy Fraser's office will look further into the bill. The women I spoke to was unaware that you could not already do this. She sounded like she would be real supportive of the bill. She would also like anyone else to call voice their thoughts and would like another call once the bill has been introduced.

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FeGe_Cakes Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 7:13pm
post #28 of 2039
Quote:
Originally Posted by higginspeg

FeGe Cakes - you are so funny. I had to sing it last night, the first part which was all I knew, when my DH and i were talking about what's next!




icon_biggrin.gif That was the first thing that came to mind. I can't get the song out of my head. icon_lol.gif

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lanibird Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 7:35pm
post #29 of 2039
Quote:
Originally Posted by FeGe_Cakes

Quote:
Originally Posted by higginspeg

FeGe Cakes - you are so funny. I had to sing it last night, the first part which was all I knew, when my DH and i were talking about what's next!



icon_biggrin.gif That was the first thing that came to mind. I can't get the song out of my head. icon_lol.gif




I cannot get the "Three is a Magic Number" song out of my head now. icon_lol.gif

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IDoCakesinTX Posted 11 Mar 2009 , 7:38pm
post #30 of 2039

Thank you so much Kelley! I was calling many people frantically the past 2 days to get things moving....and you're right! It worked!

I live in San Antonio and would happily drive up to Austin (w/ my 2 year old and 2 month old) and rally there!

Please God, let this happen!

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