Bill to eliminate Montana organic advisory council advances to hearing

House Bill 269, introduced by Representative Eric Tillman, would eliminate the state'appointed Organic Commodity Advisory Council and revise the state'run organic certification program. The bill was presented at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, where department staff and industry representatives said the program is now established and largely governed by federal standards.

Representative Eric Tillman, the bill sponsor, told the committee that the council''''''''"that box has been checked a long time ago and completed." He said Montana''''''''s organic sector has matured and a private industry organization now provides many of the functions the council once performed.

Ian Foley, Ag Sciences Division Administrator for the Department of Agriculture, told senators the department issues USDA'branded organic certificates and implements the federal National Organic Program. "So this is a USDA program," Foley said, adding that the department''''''''has a small staff that provides customer service to about 280 certified operations and that recent federal rule changes in 2023 (the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule) have increased paperwork and enforcement responsibilities.

Why it matters: The bill would remove a governor'appointed advisory council created when Montana first established its organic program and formalized its plan for USDA approval in 2003. Supporters said the Montana Organic Association (formed in 2006) and routine public rulemaking provide industry input, while department staff and USDA oversight continue certification and enforcement.

Committee members asked about membership, quorum, and how producers will continue to provide input. Foley said the advisory council had six seats and that recent meetings sometimes lacked a quorum; he and the sponsor said the department and Montana Organic Association already provide regular opportunities for industry feedback. Tillman said a house-side amendment requires the department to seek input from the Montana Organic Association and others "on a regular basis as the need of the certification program." That amendment was noted on the record during the sponsor's closing remarks.

The hearing closed after questions; no committee vote was recorded at the hearing. The Department of Agriculture said it will continue to operate the certification service.

Ending: The committee ended the hearing on House Bill 269 after proponents and informational witnesses answered questions. The bill will next follow the legislature's normal referral and scheduling process; no committee action was recorded during the hearing.