The proposed bill, known as the Freedom to Garden Act, aims to prohibit state agencies and local governments from regulating residential gardens. It establishes that individuals have the inherent right to grow, harvest, and market food from their residential gardens, as long as they do not violate property rights or public health regulations. The bill defines key terms such as "garden food," "residential garden," and "local government," and emphasizes the importance of supporting sustainable gardening practices.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific exceptions where regulations may still apply, such as in cases involving public nuisances, safety concerns, or the marketing of unwholesome food. It amends existing laws to ensure that counties and cities cannot impose restrictions on residential gardens or the sale of garden food, reinforcing the rights of individuals to cultivate and sell produce from their properties. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote gardening and local food production while safeguarding individual rights against regulatory overreach.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7E.4, 364.3
Reprinted: 7E.4, 364.3