BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 32.8.202 pertaining to time from processing that fluid milk may be sold for public consumption

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT   NO PUBLIC HEARING CONTEMPLATED

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

 1.  The Department of Livestock proposes to amend the above-stated rule.

 

            2. The Department of Livestock will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact Department of Livestock no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 15, 2021, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Executive Officer, Department of Livestock, 301 N. Roberts St., Room 304, P.O. Box 202001, Helena, MT 59620-2001; telephone: (406) 444-9525; TTD number: 1 (800) 253-4091; fax: (406) 444-4316; e-mail: MDOLcomments@mt.gov.

 

3. The rule as proposed to be amended provides as follows, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

 

      32.8.202 TIME FROM PROCESSING THAT FLUID MILK MAY BE SOLD FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION (1)  When 12 days or more have passed following pasteurization of a unit of grade A milk, there will be no quantities of that unit of milk sold as packaged or otherwise offered for public consumption.

(2) No grade A pasteurized milk may be put in any container marked with a sell-by date which is more than 12 days after pasteurization of the milk for sale in Montana.

(3) Unless otherwise agreed upon, the person who offers the milk for sale to the public is responsible for removing the milk at or before the expiration of the 12 days.

 

AUTH: 81-2-102, MCA

IMP: 81-2-102, MCA

 

REASON: The department proposes to amend this rule to allow businesses such as coffee kiosks and restaurants to use and serve milk to customers beyond 12 days after pasteurization, and to allow stores to donate unsold milk to food banks or other organizations beyond 12 days after pasteurization.  The changes in this rule align with the distinction between the "sell-by date" and "use-by date" and permit businesses to use and serve milk to customers beyond the sell-by date on the package.  The amendment will not change the department's intention that milk sold as packaged will not be sold to the public beyond 12 days after pasteurization.

 

4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments concerning the proposed action in writing to: Department of Livestock, P.O. Box 202001, Helena, Montana, 59620-2001; telephone (406) 444-9761; fax (406) 444-1929; or e-mail MDOLcomments@mt.gov, and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., October 22, 2021.

 

5. If persons who are directly affected by the proposed action wish to express their data, views, or arguments orally or in writing at a public hearing, they must make written request for a hearing and submit this request along with any written comments to the same address as above no later than 5:00 p.m., October 22, 2021.

 

6. If the agency receives requests for a public hearing on the proposed action from either 10 percent or 25, whichever is less, of the persons directly affected by the proposed action; from the appropriate administrative rule review committee of the Legislature; from a governmental subdivision or agency; or from an association having not less than 25 members who will be directly affected, a hearing will be held at a later date. Notice of the hearing will be published in the Montana Administrative Register.  Ten percent of those directly affected has been determined to be 400 persons based on an estimate of 4,000 restaurants and coffee kiosk type businesses in the state.

 

7. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request.  Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in 4 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA do not apply.

 

9. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the amendment of the above-referenced rule will not significantly and directly impact small businesses.

 

BY:      /s/ Michael S. Honeycutt                             BY:      /s/ Cinda Young-Eichenfels

            Michael S. Honeycutt                                              Cinda Young-Eichenfels

            Executive Officer                                                     Rule Reviewer

            Board of Livestock

            Department of Livestock

           

Certified to the Secretary of State September 14, 2021.