11 April 2017

Once again, the raw milk bill is “probably dead”

The MT Senate today voted 36–14 to indefinitely postpone HB-325’s second reading. The vote occurred after a series of failed attempts to replace the bill’s immunity from liability clauses with a requirement that sellers of raw milk carry comprehensive liability insurance. The legislature’s website lists the bill as “probably dead,” but it won’t be truly dead until the legislature adjourns sine die.

Two of the ringleaders in exhuming the bill from committee were Democrats Mary Caffero (Helena) and Margie MacDonald (Billings). Why they choose to be friends of dangerous microbes and enemies of sound public health policy continues to puzzle me.

Note. The legislature’s website now lists only one amendment. Earlier today, it listed three. Confusion? A cover-up?