[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6380555,"mediaKeyId","2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c","parentId",2131235,"title","House Ag committee hears months of testimony on bill to allow sale of raw milk products; labeling and regulation remain key concerns","audioSeconds",2805,"startMs",336000,"endMs",3141000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c&start=336&end=3141","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c/thumbnail_336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380555/North-Dakota/House-Ag-committee-hears-months-of-testimony-on-bill-to-allow-sale-of-raw-milk-products-labeling-and-regulation-remain-key-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380555-7d789487148fdbc5f2c712f817536998/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190478&Signature=merUKCZaLNSdO3U45wJB3v01P1jtVjsxsjcsbtUB2mUyEJPOCPVUwEJ-YITumYxM47fYeaH9igbLdD3-qS-SnMLkGtfKlwxEgjCQoQFa5Z9qyAIfA4ZB8Kf7tmjX159-Q4MkTlhsVZ3zWhlzqi5Emvf7eAAo4PielOsPsicWHh6-CvpabdfCQZ5XRMTtlEe3ZjilFDAqsH7eUO1es~PB1Z~x9yPtVjU1lpJEhHI0QGbsOqhfjLOkihxMvulbwGeUgSDwaipKN3AD7FLyMKOdlKo-qxfYzrN1d9CCJxz18-IpveommzC1vUIU2eF5Js9yt~4ANSwEjvM~AhTVKR87HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Agriculture, ND","date","2025-01-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Dawson Holly, sponsor of House Bill 1131, introduced the bill to the House Agriculture Committee as a way to allow sale of raw milk products and create new revenue streams for small North Dakota dairy farms.

“By expanding the law to include raw milk products, we're giving North Dakota farmers a fresh shot at survival,” Representative Dawson Holly told the committee, citing a long‑term drop in the state's dairy farms and an informal count of 17 raw‑milk operations he found online.

The bill drew dozens of supporters who described homestead and small dairy operations that already sell raw milk directly to consumers and who said the change would allow producers to legally sell butter, cream, kefir, yogurt and some cheeses. Leanne Harner, a small dairy goat operator, described the role that home‑produced cheeses and yogurts can play in family diets and said small producers take the safety of their product seriously.

“This has been going on in the state for 12 years without any problem,” Harner said, adding she tracks foodborne‑illness reports and has not seen recent outbreaks from these homestead products in the state. Harner also described practical differences between goat and cow milk, and said many homestead producers sell by share and handle product directly to the end consumer.

Other supporters urged a labeling requirement. Zachary Cassidy of the Dakota Resource Council said the council supports expanded market opportunities for small farmers but asked that the committee add requirements that products be labeled as raw milk products and that local public health authorities investigate complaints of illness.

Opponents and skeptical witnesses raised public‑health and market‑oversight concerns. Casey Murphy, co‑owner of the state’s only licensed micro‑creamery, urged a “two‑tier” approach that would allow small direct‑to‑consumer sales with minimal regulation but require licensing and Department of Agriculture oversight for processors that sell beyond the farm or to retailers. Denise Roeder of the Milk Producers Association said the bill as written contains “a complete lack of regulation” and urged farm registration, product labeling, and inspection access for state or local authorities as minimum safeguards.

Committee members pressed witnesses on several technical points: whether the bill would require product labels to say “contains raw milk,” shelf‑life questions for non‑pasteurized products, and whether liability insurance is available to raw‑milk sellers. Representative Holly said his earlier drafts had included labeling language and that he would not oppose adding a labeling requirement. Several producers and advocates said farmers generally have general‑liability insurance but that direct coverage for raw‑milk sales can be difficult or unavailable.

The hearing closed without a final committee vote. Representative Mary Anderson moved a \"do pass\" recommendation and Representative Rios seconded, but Representative Anderson later withdrew the motion while members agreed to work on draft amendments. Committee members and witnesses said the group would try to draft language that could include a study of retail sale pathways and a labeling requirement; Representative Holly said he supports adding a study and would not object to a labeling amendment.

Committee staff and members asked producers and stakeholders to work with legislative counsel and extension staff on specific amendment language. The committee announced it will revisit HB 1131 at a later date after working language is prepared.

Why it matters: Supporters say HB 1131 could create business opportunities for small and homestead dairies in rural counties, while industry groups and public‑health advocates say the bill needs clear labeling, registration and inspection authority to protect consumers and the state's dairy reputation.

What happens next: The sponsor and committee members asked stakeholders to help draft amendment language and indicated the bill will be taken up again after the committee reviews proposed amendments and any requested study language.

Quotes in this article are from participants who testified before the House Agriculture Committee and are attributed to them at first reference.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture Jan 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Dawson Holly, sponsor of House Bill 1131, introduced the bill to the House Agriculture Committee as a way to allow sale of raw milk products and create new revenue streams for small North Dakota dairy farms.","taxTitle","Agriculture, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28885,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380550,"Bill to elect North Dakota Beef Commission members draws sharp split: producers favor election, industry groups warn of cost and loss of sector representation",1608,3942000,5550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c&start=3942&end=5550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c/thumbnail_3942000.jpg","/articles/6380550/North-Dakota/Bill-to-elect-North-Dakota-Beef-Commission-members-draws-sharp-split-producers-favor-election-industry-groups-warn-of-cost-and-loss-of-sector-representation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380550-a4e317b17790b717914e23cd655ab062/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190478&Signature=lX-tQydydncUiTFjnrLhyk8XAN5rONyyibCzNvt1teTDr~kEsKQ-IotytTYE3R1RZVq1FC3ONUMfL3sDm4AWMrS1Xmln1p7Fw80oSt~m~hruiFY1S1JaFRr96E4mLEg8juktM0Yz2RLcdju9kMUZ6uzVyMUp~1wsVEXgekZa2Ub3wgNdf4Y0xjD3IDtFvtHFSArkZzRCAOvD8Rr1DhzXj6lmbxNdt7rduQndSPsZDACFTd15dq~8CsBpTldbY70WmaPNL~xwQ10S2qINN8vhBfnARnQvYNXWmeIqB8Ap3KzObUB~MeKSwgbpU98SrpqDbddg62-UWU0Zv6A9dGgjdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dori Hoch introduced House Bill 1207 to establish an election process for the nine members of the North Dakota Beef Commission, replacing the current system in which the governor appoints most members from nominations made by industry groups.

“Opening the beef commission's election process will provide a voice to every beef producer throughout North Dakota,” Ben Fishback of the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (IBAND) told the committee, urging a \"do pass\" recommendation. Fishback and other proponents argued elections would increase transparency and bring greater producer accountability to how checkoff dollars are spent.

North Dakota Farmers Union testified in support, with Matt Purdue noting that eight of the state's 10 commodity checkoff boards already use elected boards and that elections would give all contributing producers an equal chance to serve. Several ranchers and regional producers told the committee they favor district‑level representation so they can directly contact and hold commissioners accountable.

Opponents concentrated on operational and equity concerns. Julie Ellingson of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association said the current statutory selection scheme — which guarantees seats nominated by specific sectors such as dairy producers, cattle feeders and livestock markets — assures the board reflects the full contours of the state’s beef industry. Ellingson and other opponents warned that district elections could leave some specialized sectors under‑represented if geography or population make candidates from those sectors noncompetitive.

Several witnesses raised cost and logistical questions. Representative Hoch said she estimated an initial per‑ballot cost of roughly $3 and, using an approximately 8,000‑producer rollup, put a first‑year expense at about $24,000; she said the commission's state checkoff revenue is about $1 million, so an initial election could be roughly 2.5% of that budget. Opponents and neutral witnesses noted a larger uncertainty: the state’s county extension service does not maintain a comprehensive mailing list of cattle producers, so implementing statewide mailed ballots or mail‑in elections would require building or certifying a voter list.

Julie Ellingson and other witnesses also asked for a clear fiscal note; they and several commissioners said the bill’s redistricting and referendum provisions raise further questions about thresholds, timing and potential costs.

Neutral testimony came from the commission itself. Nicole Wardner, executive director of the North Dakota Beef Commission, explained the statute allows up to four nonvoting ex officio members and described how the commission currently recruits candidates for national appointments.

Members of the committee and nearly two dozen witnesses — including county ranchers, commodity‑group representatives, auction market owners and industry association leaders — debated the bill for more than an hour. No committee vote was taken; the hearing was closed and proponents and opponents were asked to continue stakeholder discussions.

Why it matters: House Bill 1207 would change who selects the commission that directs the state beef checkoff — a tax‑like assessment on cattle sales used for research, promotion and education. Supporters say elections will broaden participation; opponents say the change risks diluting representation for sectors critical to the industry and would add administrative costs.

What happens next: Committee members said they would continue to consider the bill and review further fiscal and implementation details — particularly how extension offices would administer elections and how district boundaries were drawn.

Quotes in this article are drawn from witnesses who testified before the House Agriculture Committee; names and roles are given at first reference.","Representative Dori Hoch introduced House Bill 1207 to establish a district election process for the North Dakota Beef Commission, a change supporters called democratic and opponents called potentially costly and disruptive to sector representation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380546,"House Agriculture Committee recommends ‘do pass’ on bill allowing optional 2% flavored milk in schools",107,12308000,12415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c&start=12308&end=12415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131235-c539a9a515f80d6acb8217752b7a566c/thumbnail_12308000.jpg","/articles/6380546/North-Dakota/House-Agriculture-Committee-recommends-do-pass-on-bill-allowing-optional-2-flavored-milk-in-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380546-787071c80d35733de057cee6703bca68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190478&Signature=nU3B~J9m7WOeeSuIvc-F502QWawOMCiW5CwvI5Eeiytdl9z2lviJWc3QBaZCdqvQ~V~V0p4tp-SXcmexcT~nrtVIMM9O2sEbJ3gIr7sRoF7ZeMWiVIgyr9ZfGcz7RR5aynXqzGzh5l1XxEPQKC1lOKlxz-IGSA2V9L11c-T217S7Q~f0KRpYb3xR7f9j4KbtUtrlNByS3Krek3-vCiooKJkJ1SL3FRrl4GCenvClTWIhIORyBfcxMPBpu7Lsf6ZmhT6BctQWSmBE1Q50ZfL2o4fexvrHe9lro2B6l7z9d87LJT59HnnTdvZUGNu7RyE-QbnDd0FhW5E-hv0D0lh6xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Agriculture Committee voted to recommend a \"do pass\" on House Bill 1132 after brief discussion. Representative Hoch moved the recommendation and Representative Twite seconded. Lawmakers clarified the bill would not require schools to provide flavored 2 percent milk — it only permits districts to offer it as an option.

Representative Dawson Holly noted the bill is permissive and would not compel districts to purchase flavored milk for school meal programs; other members confirmed that the measure would be a straight‑purchase option for schools outside federal meal program requirements.

The committee carried the motion by roll call; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from the committee membership present and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The bill would give school districts the flexibility to offer 2% flavored milk when they choose; sponsorship testimony said private grants and nonprofit grants can help with initial dispensers and equipment where needed.

Next step: The committee recommended a do‑pass; the bill will move to the next stage of the legislative process per the House rules.","The House Agriculture Committee voted to recommend passage of HB 1132, which would allow school districts to offer 2% flavored milk as an optional purchase rather than having it banned. The sponsor and committee members said the measure would be permissive and not mandate purchase by schools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Ag committee hears months of testimony on bill to allow sale of raw milk products; labeling and regulation remain key concerns

Bill to elect North Dakota Beef Commission members draws sharp split: producers favor election, industry groups warn of cost and loss of sector representation

House Agriculture Committee recommends ‘do pass’ on bill allowing optional 2% flavored milk in schools