Sponsors (10)
The bill increases interstate market access and legal protections for raw‑milk transactions and preserves State control, but does so by limiting federal oversight—raising public‑health risks and regulatory inconsistency across States.
Producers and consumers in States that allow raw (unpasteurized) milk can ship and receive that milk across State lines when the origin State's rules are met, expanding market access and consumer choice.
The bill explicitly preserves State authority over labeling, warnings, and sale rules for raw milk by not preempting State laws, letting States maintain their own regulatory regimes.
Cowshare arrangements are defined and recognized so participants can receive milk across State lines when compliant with the origin State's law, protecting that practice and participants' ability to obtain raw milk.
Consumers face a higher risk of foodborne illness because federal agencies could be barred from restricting interstate sales of unpasteurized milk even when those sales pose public‑health hazards.
Federal public‑health authorities (e.g., FDA, CDC) could be limited in responding to cross‑state raw‑milk outbreaks, slowing containment, investigation, and enforcement actions.
Producers in origin States might sell into destination States that have weaker labeling or safety rules, creating consumer confusion and uneven protections across States.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Stops federal agencies and courts from blocking interstate transport of unpasteurized milk/products when origin and destination States allow such distribution and origin-state rules are followed.
Official title: To prohibit Federal interference with the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk products that are packaged for direct human consumption.
Introduced March 9, 2026 by Thomas Massie · Last progress March 9, 2026
Bars federal agencies and courts from blocking or restricting interstate transport of unpasteurized (raw) milk and milk products packaged for direct human consumption when the product is lawful in the state where produced and the destination state also allows such products. The restriction applies only when the sole basis for federal action is that the product is unpasteurized and the product complies with the origin state's laws and labeling. The law preserves states' own laws (it does not preempt them), defines key terms (including cowshare, pasteurized, and unpasteurized), and limits federal enforcement actions tied solely to pasteurization status.