Food and drink permit; Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services to issue.

Food and drink permit requirements; regulations. Directs the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the Commissioner), after conducting the required inspection, to issue a permit for the operation of any food manufacturer, food storage warehouse, or retail food establishment. The bill prohibits the operation of such manufacturer, warehouse, or establishment without a permit unless the inspection finds no significant health hazard and the business is awaiting receipt of its permit, which shall be processed within 30 days of the inspection. The bill authorizes the Commissioner to deny, suspend, or revoke such permit for certain violations and authorizes the Commissioner to suspend such permit and seek an expedited informal fact-finding proceeding if conditions exist that present a significant and immediate public health hazard.The bill requires the Commissioner to issue a permit to any manufacturer, warehouse, or establishment that is legally operating on July 1, 2021, and has satisfactorily completed its most recent inspection. The bill also authorizes the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt regulations to administer the permitting process and directs the Commissioner to develop a written appeal process for use when a permit is suspended.