2017 -- S 0247 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RAW MILK

REGULATIONS

     Introduced By: Senators Kettle, P Fogarty, Sosnowski, Morgan, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     WHEREAS, Milk is recognized to be one of the most perfect foods afforded by nature. It

is unique in that its consumption in adequate quantities is essential to the nutritional well-being of

the individual; and

     WHEREAS, If milk's production and distribution are not properly safeguarded, it may be

instrumental in the transmission of diseases that are infectious to people; and

     WHEREAS, For the protection of the health and welfare of our citizens, it is the policy of

the State of Rhode Island that the environmental conditions surrounding the production, handling,

transportation, distribution, and sale of milk and milk products shall be to protect the public

health and to provide consumers with products that are identified in such a way as to promote

honesty and fair dealing in the best interests of the consumers; and

     WHEREAS, There is growing demand from organic food consumers for raw or

unpasteurized milk as a result of claims that it is more nutritious and healthful than pasteurized

milk; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island dairy farmers and consumers could benefit by meeting this

demand, if raw milk production, marketing, sales, and production can be regulated in such a

method as to preserve public health; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Department of Health regulates the availability and use of

raw milk in the state; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the "Commission to

Study Raw Milk Regulations" be and the same is hereby created consisting of nine (9) members:

one of whom shall be a member of the Senate, who shall serve as the chairperson of the

commission, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a

representative of the Department of Health, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be a representative of the Department of Environmental Management's Division of

Agriculture, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative

of the Rhode Island Farm Bureau, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; two (2) of

whom shall be dairy farmers, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom shall

be a licensed medical doctor with expertise in food borne infectious diseases, to be appointed by

the President of the Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of organic food consumers, to

be appointed by the President of the Senate; and one of whom shall be a representative of the

organic food sellers, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to review all raw milk regulations and make

recommendations to update and strengthen the governance of the availability and consumption of

raw milk in Rhode Island.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Chairperson of the commission.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The commission shall assemble no less than three (3) times, or more often at the call of

the Chairperson, upon written notice of each meeting stating the place, day, and time of the

meeting along with the purpose and/or agenda of the meeting.

     A quorum of the Commission shall consist of a majority of its membership and the

membership shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

President of the Senate no later than January 2, 2018, and said commission shall expire on March

2, 2018.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RAW MILK

REGULATIONS

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative study commission to

be known as the "Commission to Study Raw Milk Regulations" and whose purpose it would be to

review all raw milk regulations and make recommendations, and who would report back to the

Senate President no later than January 2, 2018, and whose life would expire on March 2, 2018.

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