Senate Bill No. introduced by G. Hertz establishes the "Montana Local Meat Act," which aims to promote the sale and consumption of local meat products by exempting certain meat food processors from various regulatory requirements, including food licensure, permitting, and inspection, under specific conditions. The bill defines key terms such as "local meat," "processor," and "informed end consumer," and mandates that consumers be informed that these products are not subject to official regulations, requiring a written warning statement at the time of sale. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, emphasizing that local meat products sold under this act are not held to the same standards as other food products, thereby facilitating local agricultural sales.

Additionally, the bill revises the licensing requirements for meat establishments, clarifying that it is unlawful to engage in slaughtering or processing without a license and establishing penalties for violations. It updates definitions related to meat inspection and aligns them with federal regulations, while also specifying that the board may not adopt rules governing meat inspection for a processor's premises or local meat products. The bill includes provisions for municipal corporations to enact ordinances for food establishment inspections, ensuring they do not conflict with state regulations. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline regulations while maintaining food safety and public health standards, with a contingent effective date based on the governor's certification of federal law changes.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234
SB0386_1(1): 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234
SB0386_1(2): 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234
SB0386_1(3): 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234
SB0386_1(4): 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234
SB0386_1: 30-12-301, 50-31-104, 50-31-106, 50-31-108, 50-31-201, 50-50-102, 50-50-103, 50-50-121, 50-50-301, 50-57-102, 81-2-102, 81-2-105, 81-9-201, 81-9-217, 81-9-218, 81-9-219, 81-9-220, 81-9-234