The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee advanced two separate bills during its voting session, moving forward a measure that would require allergy warnings in retail food establishments and a second bill that changes eligibility for certified poultry technicians and clarifies quarantine authority for the Department of Agriculture.

House Bill 77, sponsored by Representative Venkat, would require food retail establishments to display posters in serving areas about the dangers of food allergies and include warnings on menus or other printed materials. Representative Venkat described the measure as a “common sense safety” step and said it was prompted by a constituent family that lost their son to accidental cross contamination at a restaurant. “The bill requires that food establishments…have posters in their serving areas about the dangers of food allergies,” Venkat said.

The bill’s backers said it aligns display content with the Food and Drug Administration food code and associated consensus guidance so specific allergen lists would follow federal recommendations. Representative Venkat said the alignment would mean the list of allergens is updated by the established FDA guidance rather than by repeated legislative action.

Supporters argued the requirement would be protective of customers and could help restaurants defend against liability by showing they followed recommended safety steps. Representative Mihalik, a co-prime sponsor, said the change is a “simple change” that could have a “big impact” and noted similar measures in other states.

Opponents raised concerns about added burdens on small “mom-and-pop” restaurants and potential litigation exposure if a poster omitted an uncommon allergen. Representative Hamm said small business owners are already facing “more red tape” and worried that incomplete posters could create new legal risks. Representative Borowicz also questioned the role of the Department of Agriculture in approving or requiring posters and warned of creating an additional level of regulation for restaurants.

After discussion the committee held a roll-call vote and advanced House Bill 77 out of committee.

House Bill 324, presented by Representative Zapata Fratis, would allow people who are legally authorized to work in the United States — regardless of U.S. citizenship — to become certified poultry technicians after completing the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s training course. The sponsor framed the bill as a response to industry requests for more certified technicians to protect flocks from highly pathogenic avian influenza. “HB 324 will enable anyone who works in the United States legally to be able to become a certified poultry technician once they complete the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's training course,” Zapata Fratis said.

The bill also adds language that the sponsor described as strengthening the Department of Agriculture secretary’s authority to issue quarantine orders when necessary to respond to disease outbreaks. Committee members asked for specific scenarios describing what quarantine authority would allow in practice; some members, including Representative Borowicz, sought clarification about whether the change broadened existing powers or simply codified current practice.

Responders in the hearing said the secretary already has quarantine authority and that the change is intended to strengthen statutory clarity so the department can act promptly in an animal-health emergency. The testimony repeatedly referenced the need for a trained workforce to analyze disease and implement containment steps.

Representative Borowicz objected to removing a citizenship requirement, stating concerns about noncitizens obtaining certification. The sponsor and proponents responded that the bill limits certification to people legally authorized to work in the U.S. and emphasized that permanent residents and other legally employed individuals would be eligible.

After debate the committee voted to advance HB 324.

Votes at a glance
- House Bill 77 (Venkat): Motion to consider seconded; advanced out of committee on roll call (detail: roll-call recorded in transcript).
- House Bill 324 (Zapata Fratis): Motion to consider seconded; advanced out of committee on roll call (detail: roll-call recorded in transcript).

What happens next
Both bills were advanced out of the committee for further consideration by the full chamber. Committee members who raised implementation or liability concerns said they were willing to meet with sponsors and stakeholders for follow-up conversations.