The House advanced a bill last week to allow the sale of raw milk, after a floor debate that centered on a balance of liberty versus risk. 

House Bill 245, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Ballance, R-Hamilton, would allow farmers to sell raw, unpasteurized milk from small herds directly to consumers. The bill would apply to farms that have no more than seven cows, 15 goats or 15 sheep. 

Ballance said that while pasteurization kills a lot of bacteria, it isn’t completely beneficial.

“Unfortunately, that kills all of the good stuff, too,” Ballance said, referring to beneficial bacteria that raw milk advocates say help stomach function and more. 

But Rep. Christy Clark, R-Choteau, said the lack of inspection worried her and diseases like brucellosis could be passed to people through raw milk. 

“We are not a brucellosis-free state,” Clark said. “I think that we’re treading in dangerous water here.”

Rep. Albert Olszewski, R-Kalispell, said his concerns were about public safety, and said pasteurization is one of the most important processes invented to keep people safe.

“People do die from eating food,” said Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon. 

Rep. Bill Harris, R-Winnett, doubted the dangers of allowing people to drink raw milk, noting that many people already drink raw milk.

“Don’t be so afraid of change,” Harris said. “We’re just changing back to something we know has been safe forever.”

Other supporters of the bill responded with arguments based on liberty, and allowing people to make their own choices. 

The House endorsed the bill on a 66-34 vote.