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NEW JERSEY A543 & SB 1285
Assembly Bill 543 would allow the on-farm sale of raw milk and raw milk products subject to licensing, testing and
inspection. Producers must also sign an affidavit stating that they will not use growth hormones in the production of raw
milk. Labeling and signage must state, “Raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization.” Herdshares would
be exempt from the bill’s requirements. A543 was voted out of committee last September but no vote on the Assembly
floor has been scheduled. A Senate companion bill, S1285, was referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee in
2014.

NEW YORK A3689
Under current law, the state’s position is that any producer distributing raw milk must have a permit. Assembly Bill
A3689 would recognize the legality of shared animal ownership agreements in which an individual acquires an ownership
interest in a milk-producing animal. The bill was referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee.

OREGON HB 2446
Current law allows the on-farm sale of raw milk subject to herd size limitations but prohibits advertising. House Bill
2446 would remove the advertising ban. This bill stems from a settlement between dairy farmer Christine Anderson and
the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) over a lawsuit challenging the advertising ban. Under the terms of the
settlement, ODA stopped enforcing the ban; however, if the bill does not pass this session, the department will resume
enforcement. HB 2446 was referred to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

RHODE ISLAND S0091
The Raw Milk Act, Senate Bill 91, would legalize the sale of raw cow’s and goat’s milk, giving the state Milk Com-
mission power to issue rules governing the production and sale of raw milk. The bill itself contains several requirements:
the milk must be sold within five days from the date of production, labeling and signage at the point of sale, a permit is
required for anyone selling more than 20 quarts of milk or cream made from more than 20 quarts of milk. S0091 was
referred to the Senate Environment Agriculture Committee; at the hearing on March 4, the committee recommended to
hold the bill for further study.

SOUTH DAKOTA SB 45
Current law allows the sale of raw milk by licensed producers at the farm and at farmers markets; licensees are sub-
ject to requirements that were initially instituted for Grade A producers and manufactured milk producers. Senate Bill
45 would also allow the sale of raw cream but would limit sales to on-the-farm and through delivery. Producers could
deliver to farmers markets but no longer sell there. The bill would create a separate category for “raw milk for human
consumption” with its own regulations issued by the Department of Agriculture. SB 45 passed the Senate and the House
en route to the governor’s desk. The bill was drafted by a workgroup that included among others, raw milk producers,
consumers, and officials from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture that met several times in 2014.

TEXAS HB 91
Under current law, producers must have a license to sell raw milk and raw milk products; sales are restricted to the
farm. Under House Bill 91, producers could sell at farmers markets and also deliver to the consumer’s residence; they
could also contract with an agent for transport and delivery. The Texas State Department of Public Health would be
given power to issue rules for the safe storing, handling and transporting of raw dairy for sale. HB 91 was referred to the
House Public Health Committee.

UTAH HB 104
The latest version of House Bill 104 would remove the current statutory prohibition on the distribution of raw milk
through “cow-sharing programs” if there are no more than “two cows, ten goats and ten sheep per farm” in the program.
HB 104 passed the House on March 5 and was forwarded to the Senate.

VERMONT H 426
Under current law, there is a two-tier system for raw milk sales; tier 1 allows the sale of 87.5 or fewer gallons per
week direct to consumers on the farm only provided the farm meets basic sanitary standards and other requirements
outlined in statutes. Tier 2 allows farmers who meet additional requirements (e.g., milk testing) to sell up to 40 gallons a
day on the farm as well as through delivery direct to the consumer and at farmers markets. H426 would change this to
create a 3-tier system with expanded sales for producers.

82 Wise Traditions SPRING 2015 Wise Traditions

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