MT House passes raw milk legalization bill
House Bill 245, Hamilton Republican Nancy Ballance’s bill to legalize some sales of raw — unpasteurized — milk was approved 61–38 on it third reading in the House today. Five fewer Ayes were cast than on the second reading on 6 March.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where it will most likely be sent to either the agriculture or public health committee.
- Ten Republicans joined 28 Democrats in voting Nay, while ten Democrats joined 51 Republicans in voting Nay.
- Eight Democrats and two Republicans who voted Aye on the second reading voted Nay on the third reading.
- Three Democrats and two Republicans who voted Nay on the second reading voted Aye on the third reading.
- Thirty-nine of the representatives who voted Aye two years ago when a similar bill was whooped through the House 96–3 were repeat offenders.
- Among Flathead representatives, Democrats Zac Perry and Ed Lieser joined Republicans Frank Garner and Albert Olszewski in voting Nay, while Republicans Keith Regier, Carl Glimm, Mark Noland, Randy Brodehl, and Steve Lavin, all voted Aye, supporting the sale of unpasteurized milk.
