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, permit, certification, packaging, labeling, and inspection, under specific conditions. The bill defines key terms such as "local meat," "processor," and "informed end consumer," and mandates that consumers are informed that these products are not subject to official regulations, requiring a written warning statement at the time of sale. The act is designed to enhance the agricultural economy in Montana while ensuring consumer awareness regarding the nature of the products they are purchasing.

The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify definitions and regulations surrounding retail food establishments and cottage food operations, specifying exemptions for certain operations like milk producers and slaughterhouses. It empowers the Department of Public Health and Human Services to adopt rules for the operation and licensure of these establishments and establishes a food safety task force. Additionally, the bill revises licensing requirements for meat establishments, emphasizing the need for compliance with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for meat inspection. It includes provisions for penalties for violations and outlines that the act will only become effective upon the governor's certification that federal law permits the sale of meat products from livestock raised and slaughtered by the processor.

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