Provide for regulation and sale of aquaculture
SB 161, titled "Provide for regulation and sale of aquaculture," establishes specific guidelines for the sale of aquaculture products. The bill amends existing state law to exempt aquaculture products from general commodity sales rules concerning measurement methods (e.g., by weight or liquid measure). It also allows homemade aquaculture products to be sold in retail food establishments, a provision not typically extended to most other homemade food items. This legislation directly affects individuals and businesses involved in aquaculture production and sale by providing clarity on how their products can be marketed and sold.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 15, 2025
Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB0161_4(17).pdf
→
SB0161_X.pdf
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Montana's aquaculture regulations by explicitly exempting aquaculture products from general commodity sale rules and adding them to existing homemade food exemptions. It also clarifies that small dairies are exempt from certain labeling and inspection requirements, ensuring they are not subject to the same rules as commercial food establishments.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of exemptions to include aquaculture products alongside raw fruits, vegetables, and cottage foods, while also clarifying the regulatory status of small dairies.
SCOPE
Added aquaculture products to the list of items exempt from general commodity sale regulations in Section 30-12-301.
Included aquaculture products in the list of items that can be sold or used in retail food establishments without full commercial licensing in Section 50-49-203.
DEFINITION
Revised the bill title and summary to explicitly mention aquaculture regulation and rulemaking authority.
TIMELINE
Added a provision for an immediate effective date for the new regulations.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 4, 2025 · House Apr 1, 2025
How they voted
47–2
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Apr 4, 2025
D
Democratic18
94% Yea
R
Republican32
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
47
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-2-1)
senate
Apr 1, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (97-2-1)
house
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
(H) Returned to Senate with Amendments
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Agriculture
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Agriculture
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Agriculture
lower
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
upper
Jan 15, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Greg Hertz
RRepublican
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