A bill has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature to allow for small-scale farms to sell raw milk from their premises without having to have a Grade A dairy license (HB 2861).
The bill is very similar to a law that has been on the books in Oregon for decades. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing before the House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 5 (subject to change). I support the bill. It's another way to reduce our dependence on factory-farmed dairy. Things like this help decentralize dairy production and allow for a significant revenue stream for small, local, diversified farmers. There is potential for re-invigorating rural and peri-urban economies when we put people back in control of our local food supplies.
You can officially comment on the bill here:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/2861
If your Washington State Legislator is listed below, please write them in support of House Bill 2861, An Act Relating to direct sales of milk.
Blake, Brian (D)
Chair, House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Blake
Shewmake, Sharon (D)
Vice Chair
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Shewmake
Chandler, Bruce (R)
Ranking Minority Member
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Chandler
Dent, Tom (R)
Assistant Ranking Minority Member
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Dent
Chapman, Mike (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Chapman
Dye, Mary (R)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Dye
Fitzgibbon, Joe (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Fitzgibbon
Kretz, Joel (R)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Kretz
Lekanoff, Debra (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Lekanoff
Orcutt, Ed (R)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Orcutt
Pettigrew, Eric (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Pettigrew
Ramos, Bill (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Ramos
Schmick, Joe (R)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Schmick
Springer, Larry (D)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Springer
Walsh, Jim (R)
http://leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/default.aspx#Walsh