HF537 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Registered small farm producers permitted to sell fluid raw milk and fluid raw milk products to consumers under certain circumstances.

Related bill: SF490

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill permits registered small farm producers in Minnesota to sell fluid raw milk and its products directly to consumers under specific conditions. Small farm producers, defined by owning less than 12 animal units (one cow or five goats/sheep each), can sell products like milk, cream, cheese, and yogurt without typical state licensing if they label them properly to indicate they're unregulated by state inspections. These products can be sold from their homes, at farmers' markets, or community events, provided local laws allow it.

Producers must register annually with the state, with two levels of registration based on sales amounts—one without fees for sales up to $5,000 and another with a $50 fee for sales up to $78,000 annually. Registration requires proof of attending a food safety class and health testing for the animals. The bill exempts these registered producers from the pasteurization laws typically required for milk products, aiming to support small farms and give consumers more choices, while ensuring certain safety and health standards are maintained.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toAgriculture Finance and Policy

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Exempts registered raw milk producers who comply with section 28A.154, subdivision 3, from pasteurization requirements."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies conditions under which milk must be pasteurized before sales in Minnesota, by referencing section 32D.20.",
      "modified": [
        "Defines raw milk sale exceptions to existing pasteurization requirement."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "32D.20"
  }
]