Soon, Texas children may be able to sell lemonade without fear of prosecution. In one of the first bills passed in the session, the Texas House has voted to decriminalize children’s lemonade stands.
Often one of the first opportunities for children to learn about economics business, the lemonade stand has long held an important place in Americana. But as local governments continue to increase licenses and other barriers to entry in the food-service sector, lemonade stands have become criminal in many jurisdictions.
House Bill 234 by State Rep. Matt Krause (R–Arlington) seeks to change that.
The language is simple:
Notwithstanding any other law, a municipality, county, or other local public health authority may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, order, or rule that prohibits or regulates, including by requiring a license, permit, or fee, the occasional sale of lemonade or other nonalcoholic beverages from a stand on private property by an individual younger than 18 years of age.
An amendment by Freshman State Rep. Mayes Middleton (R–Wallisville) added property owner associations to the legislation.
The legislation was approved unanimously on second reading by the Texas House, causing Krause, who was donning a tie featuring small images of lemonade, to declare Tuesday “Lemonade Freedom Day.”
Today is a great day for Lemonade Freedom in the Texas House! Excited to have HB 234 on the first floor calendar of the session. Time to empower our youngest entrepreneurs to start their first businesses! #txlege @DadePhelan @FourPriceTX @mayes_middleton @RyanGuillen pic.twitter.com/HYzoWOZkkC
— Matt Krause (@RepMattKrause) March 19, 2019
The bill must now be passed again on Wednesday before being sent to the Senate.
