Signed by Governor Gary Herbert

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes cow-share programs.

Highlights:

• Repeals the prohibition on an individual owning, operating, organizing, or participating in a cow-share program where the milk-producing, hoofed mammal is located in Utah (Sec. 3).

• Exempts milk or milk products produced on a farm from the Utah Dairy Act if the milk or milk products are used by the following individuals (Sec. 4):
• An owner of the farm;
• A member of the owner’s immediate family;
• A participant in a cow-share program; or
• A member of the participant’s immediate family.

• Amends the definition of “cow-share program” to mean arrangements under which an individual receives raw milk for personal use not to be sold or distributed in a retail environment and limits the program to 2 cows, 10 goats, and 10 sheep per farm (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Agriculture and Food from establishing rules that limit an individual’s ability to obtain raw milk under a cow-share program or an interest in a cow-share program (Sec. 4). 

Full Bill Text