Committee approves bill allowing sale of unpasteurized milk at feed stores and markets; warning-label questions raised

The ad committee voted to advance House Bill 3,056, which would permit sale of unpasteurized cow, goat and sheep milk at feed stores and farmers markets provided the product is properly labeled as unpasteurized.

Senator Woods, the bill’s sponsor, said the proposal removes certain gallon limits and allows appropriately labeled raw milk to be sold in more retail settings. Senator Hicks asked whether earlier warning-label language the committee had discussed this session was captured in the bill; Woods acknowledged the bill’s language requires labeling that the milk is unpasteurized but does not include the fuller warning-label language discussed previously.

Woods said he grew up on a dairy and supports the bill as a way for small dairies to supplement income. The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 8 ayes and 3 nays, and the bill passed.

What’s next: The bill moves forward with the committee’s approval; transcript contains debate about labeling details to be addressed in later work.