Committee advances raw-milk bill with expanded testing, licensing and tiered regulation

The Senate Business and Labor Standing Committee on Feb. 25 voted to favorably recommend the third substitute of House Bill 179, a restructured framework for raw-milk regulation in Utah, recording a committee vote of 7-0 to advance the measure.

Sponsor Representative Chaviere said the third substitute creates a tiered regulatory structure that preserves department oversight for retail sales, removes a prior 51% ownership requirement for farmers selling in stores, and allows designated agents to deliver milk while giving the department authority to act in the event of an outbreak. 'It creates a tiered regulatory structure...Retail sales remain permitted, inspected, and tested by the department,' the sponsor told the committee.

Senator Sandle emphasized the substance of the change: raw milk will become more available in the commercial marketplace but will be subject to testing, licensing and fees. Terry Camp, vice president of public policy for the Utah Farm Bureau, urged the committee to move the third substitute, saying the Farm Bureau was comfortable with the measure. Amber Brown, deputy commissioner for the Department of Agriculture and Food, told the committee the department had worked on the bill for months and supported it provided the department retains outbreak response authority and appropriate guardrails.

Tamara Watson, a Utah producer and local-food advocate, told the committee the bill 'balances consumer demand with producer responsibility' and said traditional and small-scale producers need regulatory space to reach local markets.

The committee adopted the third substitute and related amendment(s) by voice and then voted to favorably recommend the bill, 7-0. The measure will proceed to the Senate floor under the committee's recommendation.

Next steps: HB179 as the third substitute will be scheduled for floor consideration according to Senate procedure.