Lemonade law aims to preserve timeless tradition

A proposed law intends to let kids sell lemonade from stands without having to pay permits or fees to do so.

Working with students from a Caesar Rodney elementary school, Rep. Andria Bennett, D-Dover South, said they collaborated on the bill to show students the power of government and how it can work to make real change in communities.

“Lemonade stands are a quintessential part of summer that teach children responsibility while having fun. But there’s the potential they could face problems with permitting, and we shouldn’t wait for Delaware kids to get in trouble to take action. Our proposed initiative is a common sense, simple measure that will benefit children across our state and allow easy access to lemonade stands,” Bennett said.

Together, she said, they put forth a bill that would protect lemonade stands from any potential regulations, fees and permits.

Lemonade stands across the country have faced heavy fees and regulations in recent years. A town in Texas required a $150 peddler’s permit and a health department permit to operate a lemonade stand prior to the state’s law being enacted.

If House Bill 270 is enacted, Delaware would be one of 17 states that allow minors to operate unlicensed lemonade stands, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

House Bill 270 would exempt a stand operated by a child from state, county, and municipal regulations and licensing fees that might otherwise apply. It also would define a “stand operated by a child” as one that operates on a temporary, occasional basis, serves or sells lemonade or other nonalcoholic beverages to others, and is located on private property with the permission of the private property owner.

HB 270 was formally introduced on Dec. 12 in pre-file legislation.