Mississippi lawmakers are taking steps to help mom-and-pop operations that produce small quantities of honey.

Gov. Haley Barbour signed a new law Monday that says anyone who packs or sells fewer than 500 gallons of honey a year will not have to meet state health regulations for food establishments. They also would be exempt from fees paid by restaurants or food vendors.

The new law takes effect July 1.

The bill is Senate Bill 2393.