House passes bill loosening limits on incidental sale of raw goat and sheep milk

The Arkansas House of Representatives approved House Bill 10‑48, a bill to amend state law governing incidental sales of unpasteurized goat and sheep milk, during the Jan. 30 floor session. The measure passed by a vote of 94 yays, 3 nays and 2 present.

Sponsor Representative Cooper, who introduced the bill on the House floor, said the change would reduce barriers for small farmers and improve access for consumers who buy locally produced milk. "This bill is about food freedom and food security," Cooper said in explanation of the measure.

The bill removes the requirement that incidental sales of raw milk occur only at the farm where the milk is produced, allowing sales at other locations such as farmers markets or via direct delivery by the farmer. Cooper emphasized the bill retains the statutory warning label and the prohibition on third‑party sales: the container must include the farm name and address and the statement that the product is unpasteurized, that it is sold for personal use and not for resale, and that the consumer assumes liability for any health issues.

Representative Meeks questioned whether liability from mishandling at a farmers market would fall to the market operator or the farmer; Cooper replied that the bill keeps the warning‑label requirement and that the consumer assumes liability per existing statute. Representative Brown spoke in favor, citing rural access and examples such as young mothers or families for whom the travel to a farm is impractical. "This is one step forward," Brown said, urging a yes vote.

There were no recorded amendments during floor debate. The House record shows the sponsor closed debate and the clerk reported the final tally as 94 yays, 3 nays and 2 present.

The bill now moves to the next stage in the legislative process for the session (action taken on the House floor: passage).