Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Montana bill would eliminate state organic advisory council, keep certification services with agency
Summary
Rep. Eric Tillman told the Senate Agriculture and Livestock Committee that House Bill 269 would remove a governor‑appointed organic advisory council, arguing the Montana Organic Association and USDA oversight make the council redundant; the department says it will continue certification work and seek MOA input under amended language.
Representative Eric Tillman introduced House Bill 269 to the Senate Agriculture and Livestock Committee, saying the advisory council established in 2003 ‘‘has outlived the original purpose’’ and that Montana’s organic program has matured enough to operate without the board.
Department of Agriculture Ag Sciences Division Administrator Ian Foley told senators the state implements the federal USDA National Organic Program and issues USDA‑branded certificates. Foley said major federal changes in 2023 increased enforcement on imports and that the department can handle necessary changes ‘‘through the…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
