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Montana committee backs bill to regulate and allow sale of farm-raised shrimp
Summary
The House Agriculture Committee concurred in Senate Bill 161, which creates a statutory definition for aquaculture and allows sale of aquaculture products produced under controlled conditions in Montana; an amendment adding “ocean” to the list of excluded water bodies was adopted before final concurrence (17-0).
The Montana House Committee on Agriculture on Monday concurred in Senate Bill 161, a measure that defines aquaculture and clears a statutory path for producers to sell farm-raised aquatic products in-state, including shrimp raised in controlled indoor systems.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Greg Hertz, R-Polson (Senate District 7), told the committee he drafted the bill after meeting with a Montana grower who raises shrimp in above-ground, controlled systems. Hertz said the bill recognizes aquaculture as an agricultural product, adds definitions for “aquaculture” and “controlled conditions,” and creates an exemption that will allow aquaculture products to be treated as raw agricultural products for sale.
The bill’s supporters said the change will let small producers sell to restaurants and retailers year-round, not only at seasonal farmers markets. Clayton Elliott, representing Montana Charter Unlimited, said he had asked for and supported narrowly tailored definitions in the Senate to avoid creating loopholes similar to prior bills on private fish ponds. Jim Vaughan, owner of Mission Valley Shrimp, described his indoor, tank-based system and explained that shrimp reach market size within months, allowing producers to stagger cycles and maintain year-round production.
Mercedes Oberlie of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services spoke as an informational witness and offered to provide the committee with the department’s perspective on licensing, inspection and food-safety approaches. Anna Kechkes, agency legal counsel for the Department of Agriculture, was also present to answer technical questions.
Committee members adopted amendment 161.201 (listed in the hearing as 161.2 0.1), which adds “ocean” to the list of water bodies excluded from the statutory definition of “controlled conditions.” After the amendment passed, Vice Chair Carter moved concurrence on the bill as amended. The committee recorded an electronic/voice tally of 17 ayes and 0 noes; proxies included representatives recorded as voting aye by proxy. The committee sent the bill to the House floor with concurrence.
The bill text referenced statutory cross-references and specific definitions; during discussion Hertz quoted a numeric reference used in the draft (noted in the hearing as “83 3 0 2”) to illustrate where the bill inserted aquaculture into existing code lists. The bill also grants rulemaking authority to implement the new definitions and exemptions.
Supporters framed the bill as enabling a new small-scale agricultural enterprise in Montana and as consistent with how other states treat aquaculture; informational witnesses offered to help the committee and the implementing agencies coordinate on inspection and food-safety implementation.
The committee closed the hearing after agreeing who would carry the bill to the House floor.
