House committee reports three raw‑milk bills, rejects two substitutes

The House Committee on Government Operations voted to advance three bills addressing the direct sale of raw milk by dairy farmers while rejecting two substitutes that would have altered those measures. Representative Harris moved to report HB 52‑17, HB 52‑18 and HB 52‑19; committee roll calls led the clerk to record each final referral or report by a 3‑2 vote.

Two substitutes were offered and defeated before the committee acted on the bills. Representative McFall proposed a substitute to HB 52‑18 that would have required warning labels listing common bacteria found in raw milk and emphasizing higher‑risk consumer groups; the substitute was recorded by the clerk as not adopted (2 ayes, 3 nays). Representative Fitzgerald offered a substitute to HB 52‑19 that would have prohibited sale of raw milk or raw milk products to anyone under age 19, barred free samples, and prevented donations of raw milk products to food pantries; that substitute also failed on a roll call recorded as 2 ayes, 3 nays.

After defeating the proposed substitutes, the committee approved action on each bill. The clerk recorded HB 52‑17 as referred to the committee on rules by a recorded vote of 3 ayes to 2 nays. HB 52‑18 was reported with recommendation by a recorded vote of 3 ayes to 2 nays. HB 52‑19 was referred to the committee on rules by a recorded vote of 3 ayes to 2 nays.

The committee announcement described the bills as measures to permit dairy farmers to sell raw milk directly to consumers. No substantive testimony on the dairy bills was taken during the hearing; committee procedure and a three‑minute limit for speakers were reiterated at the start of the meeting. The committee proceeded to other agenda items after the votes.