The Texas House passed legislation on Wednesday that would allow children to run temporary lemonade stands without having to obtain a permit.
House Bill 234, sponsored by Texas State Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth), would make it legal for children to operate temporary lemonade stands or other pop-up stands selling nonalcoholic beverages in public parks and on private property, the Dallas Morning News reported.
“Yesterday was one small step for lemonade, today is one giant leap for young entrepreneurs,” Krause said on Wednesday the bill passed in the House.
The legislation is headed to the Texas Senate for approval and would go before Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) if it passes the Senate.
Abbott tweeted his support for the bill on Tuesday, calling it “a shame” that lawmakers needed to establish a law making lemonade stands legal.
Lawmaker wants to make lemonade stands legal in Texas. It’s a shame that a law for this is even needed. #txlege https://t.co/fbSPcbXZQO
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 20, 2019
If the bill passes, it will overturn a ban on lemonade stands instituted by the Texas Food Establishment over concerns about homemade drinks violating health codes.
Local police departments have historically gone after kids trying to make a quick buck by setting up temporary lemonade stands either in front of their homes or in public parks.
The Denver Police stopped two young boys selling lemonade in 2018 because they did not obtain a permit to operate as a business; and in 2015, police shut down two Texas girls operating a lemonade stand because they did not have a permit.
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