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Senate advances bill to allow small ice-cream freezers and single-serve milk sales in more retail outlets
Summary
SB19, the so-called 'ice-cream bill,' would permit sale of small ice-cream novelties and individual milk servings from portable freezers (max 12 cu ft) in places like theaters and convenience stores; sponsors said retailers and dairy farmers support it; senators raised supply concerns and will draft an amendment for third reading. The bill passed to third reading 23–0–3.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 1 advanced legislation (SB19) that would allow small, portable freezers and individual milk servings to be sold in nontraditional retail locations, a change backers said levels the playing field for ice-cream products.
Sponsor Senator Davis called it the 'ice-cream bill' and said the measure lets ice-cream manufacturers and distributors compete more fairly in the snack-food market by permitting small freezers (product size under 8 ounces, freezer not to exceed 12 cubic feet) in places such as theaters, convenience stores and hardware stores. "This will allow ice cream novelties to be sold in small portable freezers..." Davis said.
Supporters told the Senate the bill brought retailers, distributors and dairy farmers together. Senator Evans commended Davis for building consensus among special-interest groups. Senator Waddup said he intended to vote for the bill but was preparing an amendment to address a supply issue and requested holding the measure on third reading until the amendment is resolved.
The Senate voted to read SB19 for a third time and advance it to third reading; the clerk recorded 23 ayes, no nays and 3 absent.
What happens next: Sponsor and stakeholders will work on a supply-related amendment before SB19’s final consideration on third reading.
Clarifying details: Sponsor described initial enrollment projections for unrelated higher-education bill earlier in the day; for SB19 the practical limits in the bill are a maximum freezer volume (12 cubic feet) and novelty size under 8 ounces.
Authorities referenced: SB19 as described on the floor; no statutory cross-references were cited during the debate.
