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House committee hears bill to eliminate organic commodity advisory committee; stakeholders seek clarifying amendments
Summary
A House committee heard House Bill 269 to dissolve Montana's Organic Commodity Advisory Committee. Sponsor Rep. Eric Tillman and the Department of Agriculture said the council has outlived its purpose; Montana Farmers Union asked for amendments to preserve industry consultation and remove problematic budgetary language.
Representative Eric Tillman opened a hearing on House Bill 269, telling the committee the measure would "cut government, cut red tape, and be here for the kids" by eliminating the eight-member Organic Commodity Advisory Committee that advises the Department of Agriculture on the state's organic certification program.
The Department of Agriculture's deputy director, Zach Coccoli, supported the bill as internal cleanup and said eliminating the advisory council would not end certification services. "We currently certified 240 organic operations through 3 and a half dedicated FTE," Coccoli told the…
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