Senate panel eliminates egg-candling license for backyard sellers

The Senate Agricultural and Consumer Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of SB 551, a bill that removes the statewide egg-candling license requirement for small or backyard egg producers.

Senator Watson (floor referenced by the chair) described the measure as a "red tape rollback," saying the Georgia Department of Agriculture currently requires an egg-candling license for those who sell eggs from backyard flocks and that the department provides free classes and tests. "This is a good red tape rollback bill," the author said, arguing the rule pertains to grading rather than food safety and places unnecessary burdens on small sellers at farmers markets.

Supporters told the committee that large-scale producers remain subject to federal controls and that the bill is aimed at small, direct-to-consumer producers who sell locally. During discussion, committee members contrasted the regulatory requirements for backyard sellers with the complex audits larger growers face when selling to retailers.

A motion to "do pass" was made and seconded; the chair called for the ayes and the bill passed unanimously. No roll-call vote tallies were read into the hearing record.

The committee did not record any amendments to the bill during the meeting. Proponents said the change would free department staff to focus on food-safety work; opponents did not register substantive objections on the record during the committee vote.

The committee's recommendation sends SB 551 on to the next stage of the legislative process in the Senate.

What happens next: The Senate will schedule further consideration; the committee record shows the bill was recommended for passage by unanimous voice vote.