HB1788

House Bill 1788 updates the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969 to modernize regulatory language and administrative oversight. The bill increases the threshold for small-scale producers exempt from certain retail regulations from 200 hens to 700 hens. It formally transfers administrative responsibilities under the act from the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The legislation introduces new requirements for retailers, specifically prohibiting the removal of eggs from their original containers for repackaging. It clarifies labeling, refrigeration, and transportation standards for egg handlers and retail establishments to ensure food safety. Additionally, the bill updates enforcement procedures, including inspection authority, and modifies the collection of inspection fees for administrative funding.