From your Representative

As we roll out of the holidays and look forward to the arrival of spring, your legislature continues to conduct interim committee meetings. The Economic Affairs Interim Committee, of which I am a member, met on January 27th and 28th.

We started the meeting with a discussion about brand inspections for horses and the need for annual or lifetime inspections in order to legally transfer a horse from county to county in Montana. According to testimony from the Montana Department of Livestock the primary purpose of this law is to deter the theft of horses. Although this used to be a common requirement in most states, many have eliminated the county to county transfer requirement. It is particularly burdensome to outfitters and stock providers who move many horses within the state. It looks like it may be a rule that has out lived its usefulness. Although one stolen horse is too many, the additional time and expense that this rule requires may no longer be justified. I would appreciate any comments, concerns and suggestions from the public to see if this is a rule that needs modification.

The next issue on our agenda was a discussion of the 12 day “sell by” date that is required for grade A milk in Montana. Since 1980, the Montana Department of Livestock has required that milk sold and pasteurized in Montana must be sold within 12 days of pasteurization. Most states allow the milk processor to set that date, which is commonly set around 18 to 21 days. We heard from experts from the Food and Drug Administration and Cornell University, and they both suggested that Montana scrap this rule and allow the processor to set the sell by dates. Dairy processors already set the sell by or use by dates on all dairy products they produce except for grade A milk. We heard testimony from retailers and consumers that they are confused about the dates on Montana milk. Many people think this is an expiration date and dispose of perfectly good milk. Retailers are also forced to dispose of the milk that exceeds the 12 day rule. Both the experts and the Department of Livestock testified that milk will last for up to 28 days and longer given proper refrigerated storage. Also, pasteurization of milk kills all pathogens that might exist and the only harm in drinking spoiled milk is the bad, sour taste when it spoils. If the Department of Livestock refuses to change this rule, it will be up to the 2015 legislature to revise this rule in order to stop the disposal of perfectly good milk.

We also continued to review several licensing boards and issues facing our worker’s compensation system in Montana, in order to foster a stronger economic and employment environment in the State of Montana.

If you would like to contact me on these or any other issues I would like to hear from you.

Representative Greg Hertz

House District 11

greghertz11@gmail.com

406-253-9505