Grow Montana’s current 2025 legislative session priority bills include:
- SJ 11: Interim study on farmers markets and food systems (Grow Montana supports and is the lead organization on this bill)
- HB 649: Establish a farm to food bank program (Grow Montana supports this bill)
- HB 440: Providing tax incentives to put Montana-produced food first (Grow Montana supports this bill)
- LC 1004: Generally revise Monana Local Food Choice Act (Grow Montana is actively following this bill and will make a determination on its position once bill language is available)
- LC 1013: Generally revise laws related to Cottage Food Act (Grow Montana is actively following this bill and will make a determination on its position once bill language is available)
Learn more about the legislative session and how to get involved HERE
Below are the bills Grow Montana is supporting, opposing, and following at the 69th Montana Legislative session. Click each box to view bill details, including the bills sponsor, bill text (if available), and bill progress.
This list will be updated weekly, and action alerts will be shared through the Grow Montana Newsletter. If you are interested in receiving action alerts, please sign at: Action Alerts.
SB 155: Create a Food Safety Panel
Bill Sponsor: Daniel Emrich
Grow Montana Position: Following
Latest Action:
Hearing Sched Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety
Jan 31, 2025 03:00pm
Room 317
Bill Summary:
The bill establishes a new Panel on Food Safety within the Department of Agriculture, consisting of three members appointed by the governor, who must possess scientific expertise in various fields related to food safety. The panel is tasked with studying the cumulative effects of food additives and colors, advising the Department of Agriculture on limiting the availability of foods containing additives or colors deemed to have negative toxic effects. The panel will meet quarterly and serve without compensation, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses.
Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to grant the Department of Agriculture the authority to adopt rules regarding food additives, including the ability to limit the availability of food containing harmful additives as identified by the panel. The Department is required to enforce these rules in coordination with the United States Food and Drug Administration. The amendments also clarify the process for establishing rules related to food additives, ensuring that any proposed regulations are supported by sufficient data to demonstrate their necessity and safety for public health.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-31-108, 80-1-102
SB 246: Provide for Montana First Procurement laws and establish reporting requirements
Bill Sponsor: Cora Neumann
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary
The bill establishes new reporting requirements for food products procured by governmental bodies in Montana, amending Section 18-4-132 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). It allows for the procurement of Montana-produced food products either through standard procedures or direct purchase, provided that the quality is comparable to similar products from outside the state, the vendor can supply sufficient quantities, and the bid does not exceed or reasonably exceeds the lowest bid for similar products. The bill also mandates that contracts for food procurement valued at $100,000 or more must include a provision requiring vendors to report the total dollar value of food products purchased, including specific categories such as meat, produce, and dairy.
Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that outlines the reporting requirements for vendors, specifying that they must submit annual reports detailing the total dollar value of food products purchased by the governmental body, including the value of Montana-produced food products. Certain exceptions are made for contracts related to alcoholic beverages purchased by the Department of Revenue, which are not subject to these reporting requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 18-4-132
LC 666: Providing a study on food security and agricultural prosperity
LC 1004: General Revise Montana Local Food Choice Act
SB 386 Provide for the Montana Local Meat Act
Bill Sponsor: Greg Hertz
Grow Montana Position: Following
Bill Summary:
The Montana Local Meat Act is designed to promote the sale and consumption of local meat and meat products by exempting certain meat food processors from various food licensure, permitting, certification, packaging, labeling, and inspection regulations, provided specific conditions are met. The Act defines key terms such as “local meat,” “processor,” and “informed end consumer,” and mandates that transactions occur directly between processors and consumers within the state, without involving interstate commerce. Importantly, processors must inform consumers that the products sold are not subject to official regulations and must include a prominent warning statement regarding the lack of inspection. The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to prohibit state agencies from requiring licensure or inspection for local meat products sold under the Act, specifically stating that the Department of Public Health and Human Services cannot conduct inspections or take samples from processors operating under this framework.
Additionally, the bill clarifies regulations surrounding the production and sale of homemade food products and local meat, specifying exemptions from certain licensure and inspection requirements for producers and processors. It revises licensing requirements for meat establishments, detailing conditions under which licenses may be revoked or renewed, and mandates that products prepared under exemptions must be clearly marked as “Not for Sale.” The bill also establishes rules for meat inspection that align with U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, including a new provision that prevents the board from adopting rules governing meat inspection for a processor’s premises or local meat products. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulations while ensuring food safety and public health standards are maintained, with an effective date contingent upon the governor certifying compliance with federal law regarding the sale of meat products from locally raised and slaughtered livestock.
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
LC 1013: Generally revise laws related to Cottage Food Act
LC 1221: Address food security on college campuses
LC 1226: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws
LC 1430: Create a food safety panel
Bill Sponsor: Daniel Emrich
Grow Montana Position: Following
Bill Summary:
The bill establishes a new Panel on Food Safety, consisting of three members appointed by the governor, who must possess scientific expertise in areas such as toxicology, chemistry, and food technology. The panel is tasked with meeting quarterly to study the cumulative effects of food additives and colors in the diet and to advise the Department of Agriculture on limiting the availability of food containing additives or colors deemed to have negative toxic effects. Members will serve staggered terms without compensation, although they may be reimbursed for expenses.
Additionally, the bill amends existing regulations concerning food additives, allowing the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules based on recommendations from the newly formed panel. It specifies that the department can limit the availability of food containing additives identified by the panel as harmful, based on a cumulative effects analysis. The bill also includes provisions for the department to enforce these rules in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The transition section outlines the timeline for appointing the panel members and their terms of service.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-31-108, 80-1-102
LC 1629: Resolution supporting Montana’s beef producers
Bill Sponsor: Braxton Mitchell
Grow Montana Position: Following
Bill Summary:
This joint resolution from the Montana Legislature expresses strong support for the state’s beef producers, highlighting their critical role in the agricultural economy, rural communities, and job market. It emphasizes the dedication of Montana’s ranchers and farmers to environmentally responsible cattle raising, animal welfare, and land stewardship. The resolution acknowledges the challenges faced by the beef industry, including fluctuating market prices and competition from foreign imports, while underscoring the importance of Montana’s high-quality beef in both national and international markets.
Furthermore, the resolution calls for state and federal governments to implement favorable policies that support Montana ranchers, reduce regulatory burdens, and enhance trade relationships. It explicitly opposes the Green New Deal and similar proposals that could impose harmful regulations on the cattle industry, as well as the promotion of lab-grown meat as a substitute for traditional beef. The Legislature reaffirms its commitment to the sustainability and viability of Montana’s beef industry, recognizing its significance in preserving agricultural heritage and supporting rural economies.
LC 1806: Generally revise non profit laws
LC 1807: Generally revise non profit laws
HB 440: Providing tax incentives to put Montana-produced food first
Bill Sponsor: Jane Weber
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary:
The proposed bill aims to provide tax incentives for the sale of food produced in Montana by allowing a subtraction from both individual and corporate income taxes for income generated from such sales. Specifically, it amends Sections 15-30-2120 and 15-31-113 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include a new provision that allows taxpayers to subtract 50% of the net income from the sale of Montana-produced food, defined as food items planted, cultivated, grown, harvested, raised, collected, processed, or manufactured in the state. This subtraction applies to income generated at the point of sale to the ultimate consumer. Additionally, the bill specifies that taxpayers must report this net income as identified by the vendor.
The bill also includes a delayed effective date, with the provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and applicable to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. The language of the bill clarifies that the definition of “Montana-produced food” encompasses a wide range of food and drink items, excluding those prepared for onsite consumption. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote local agriculture and food production by providing financial incentives through tax reductions.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
HB0440_1(1): 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
HB0440_1: 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
HB 401: Prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in the state of Montana
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Braxton Mitchell
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary:
The proposed bill seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, holding, offering for sale, or distribution of cell-cultured edible products in Montana, establishing that individuals who knowingly violate this prohibition will face misdemeanor charges, potentially resulting in up to 60 days of imprisonment. Retail food establishments found in violation may also face disciplinary actions, including license suspension. The bill empowers the department to adopt rules for implementation and provides definitions for key terms such as “cell-cultured edible product” and “retail food establishment.”
Additionally, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate the new prohibition and related penalties, specifically updating sections 30-12-210, 50-31-103, and 50-31-203. It clarifies the definition of “cell-cultured edible product” while removing the previous labeling requirement for such products. The bill also ensures that correctly labeled cell-cultured products are not considered misbranded and exempts butter, cheese, ice cream, and frozen desserts from label statements regarding artificial flavoring and coloring. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline the regulatory framework for meat products and enhance consumer protection and information regarding both traditional and cell-cultured meat products.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1(1): 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
HB0401_1: 30-12-210, 50-31-103, 50-31-203, 81-9-217
LC 1912: Generally revise SNAP laws
LC 1956: Generally revise laws relating to mobile food vendors
SJ 11: Interim study on farmers markets and food systems
Bill Sponsor: Bruce “Butch” Gillespie
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary
The bill is a joint resolution from the Senate and House of Representatives of Montana that requests an interim study of farmer’s markets and local food systems in the state. It emphasizes the importance of farmer’s markets in promoting local economic growth, enhancing food security, and improving public health outcomes. The resolution calls for the Legislative Council to designate an appropriate interim committee to examine various aspects of farmer’s markets, including their economic impact, barriers to growth, and their role in advancing food security, particularly in underserved areas.
The interim committee is tasked with collaborating with a range of stakeholders, studying the impact of existing laws such as the Montana Local Food Choice Act, and reviewing current statutes related to consumer protection and liability for food producers. The study is required to be completed by September 15, 2026, with the final results, including findings and recommendations, to be reported to the 70th legislature.
SB 371: Generally revise agriculture laws - MT made products
Bill Sponsor: Cora Neumann
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary:
The proposed bill aims to provide tax incentives for the sale of goods produced in Montana by amending existing tax laws. Specifically, it introduces a subtraction from both individual and corporate income taxes for fifty percent of the net income derived from the sale of Montana-produced goods, as defined in the bill. The definition of “Montana-produced goods” includes items that are planted, cultivated, grown, harvested, raised, collected, processed, or manufactured within the state, covering a wide range of products such as food, drink, crafts, and clothing. Additionally, the bill outlines that these changes will apply to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
The bill amends Sections 15-30-2120 and 15-31-113 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these tax incentives. Notably, it adds new legal language to define “Montana-produced goods” and specifies the tax benefits associated with them. The bill also removes certain existing provisions related to income tax calculations, streamlining the process for taxpayers who benefit from these new incentives. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote local businesses and stimulate the economy by encouraging the sale of goods produced within Montana.
Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
SB0371_1(1): 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
SB0371_1: 15-30-2120, 15-31-113
LC 3250: Joint resolution urging Congress to support MCOOL
LC 3338: Montana Food First
HB 649: Establish a farm to food bank program
Bill Sponsor: Shelly Fyant, Cora Neuman
Grow Montana Position: Support
Bill Summary:
The proposed bill establishes a “Farm to Food Bank Grant Program” administered by the Department of Agriculture in Montana, aimed at enhancing local food economies and improving access to fresh, local products for low-income consumers. The program will support Montana farmers and ranchers, regional food hubs, and food pantries by providing grants for activities that facilitate the purchase, processing, storage, and distribution of Montana-grown food. The bill outlines specific grant requirements, including a competitive application process that prioritizes applicants who can reach underserved communities, particularly in rural areas and tribal reservations.
Additionally, the bill creates a special revenue account to fund the grant program, with an appropriation of $3 million from the general fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. It mandates the Department of Agriculture to compile evaluation reports from grant recipients and present a biennial report to the economic affairs interim committee. The bill also includes provisions for rulemaking authority, definitions related to the program, and notification to tribal governments, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.
LC 907: Prohibiting the state from awarding grants to non-profits
