35-7-124. License required; exemptions; electronic transmittals.

(a) Any person processing, distributing, storing or preparing any food for sale shall obtain a license from the department of agriculture or a local health department. The license is not transferable, shall be renewed on an annual basis and shall be prominently displayed in the establishment. No food establishment shall serve, hold for sale or sell food to the public without a valid license. An agricultural producer shall be exempt from the licensure requirement in this section for processing, distributing, storing or sale of any raw agricultural commodity he produces.

(b) Written application for a new license shall be made on a form approved by the department of agriculture and provided by the department of agriculture or the local health department and shall be signed by the applicant. License requirements and fees for temporary food events operated by nonprofit organizations shall be waived. Licenses shall expire one (1) year after the date of issuance unless suspended or revoked. Licenses may be renewed each year upon application to the department or local health department. The director shall establish license categories and fees by rule and no fee shall exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).

(c) Fees collected under this section shall be distributed as follows:

(i) In any county, city or district without a local health department established pursuant to W.S. 35-1-301 et seq., the department of agriculture shall receive ninety percent (90%) of the amount of the fee collected and the department of health shall receive ten percent (10%). The revenues shall be deposited into a special account and shall be used to defer the cost associated with the food safety program;

(ii) In any county, city or district with a local health department established pursuant to W.S. 35-1-301 et seq., the local health department shall receive eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of the fee collected, the department of agriculture shall receive ten percent (10%) and the department of health shall receive five percent (5%). The revenues shall be deposited into a special account and shall be used to defer the cost associated with the food safety program.

(d) Before approving an application, the department of agriculture or the local health department shall determine that the establishment is in compliance with this act and any regulations promulgated hereunder.

(e) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to food operators or kitchens in private homes that prepare food that is not potentially hazardous and prepared for sale or use at farmers' markets, roadside stands, private homes and at functions including, but not limited to those operated by not for profit charitable or religious organizations.

(f) The director may allow the permitting, registration, licensing, testing, inspection and reporting requirements of this chapter to be conducted electronically as provided by the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act, W.S. 40-21-101 through 40-21-119 and any applicable federal electronic requirements.

(g) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to food prepared for, served, consumed, stored or sold at a traditional event or activity pursuant to W.S. 35-7-1703. The definitions in W.S. 35-7-1702 shall apply to this subsection.

(h) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a producer selling food directly to the informed end consumer at a farmers market or through ranch, farm or home based sales pursuant to W.S. 11-49-103. The definitions in W.S. 11-49-102 shall apply to this subsection.

(j) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to homemade beverages provided at an event held pursuant to W.S. 12-10-102.