AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 20 of section 4.1-25-01 and sections 4.1-25-30, 4.1-25-31, 4.1-25-32, and 4.1-25-33 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of pasteurized milk ordinance and the federal pasteurized milk ordinance revision.
Summary
HB 1083 updates North Dakota’s dairy law to align the state’s definition of the “pasteurized milk ordinance” with the 2023 revision of the federal Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. It also updates related references in state law to current federal publications and procedures used for milk sanitation ratings, milk laboratory evaluations, and interstate milk shipment standards. In practical terms, the bill modernizes the regulatory framework that governs grade A milk and milk products in the state.
The bill keeps the existing rule that only grade A milk may be sold as a fluid beverage for human consumption and preserves the Agriculture Commissioner’s authority to adopt additional standards for public safety, sanitation, product quality, and marketability. It does not create a new regulatory program; rather, it refreshes North Dakota’s statutory references so state oversight matches current federal dairy inspection and certification guidance.
Impact
The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code in Chapter 4.1-25, which governs milk and dairy products. It changes the statutory definition of the pasteurized milk ordinance from the 2019 revision to the 2023 revision and updates cross-references to federal guidance used by state milk sanitation and laboratory officials. Dairy producers, processors, manufacturers, milk sanitation officers, and milk laboratories are the primary parties affected, because their compliance and certification obligations will be measured against the updated federal standards.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been noncontroversial and broadly supported. It passed the House 93-0 and the Senate 47-0, with no recorded dissenting votes. The absence of committee transcripts and the unanimous votes suggest the measure was viewed as a routine technical update needed to keep state law aligned with federal dairy standards.
Contention
No notable opposition is reflected in the available record. Because the bill is a conformity measure updating references to federal dairy publications and procedures, any potential concern would likely have centered on whether state law should track federal revisions automatically or whether the updated standards could impose compliance burdens on dairy operators. However, no such objections appear in the votes or available discussion, and the measure advanced unanimously.