Montana Farmers Union Legislative Priorities Recap 68th Legislative Session

Montana Farmers Union weighed in on a variety of bills during the 68th Montana Legislative Session based on MFU’s grassroots member-written policy that focuses on family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. MFU took official stances on many bills, including water rights, public education, land use, voting rights and more. Below is a report on MFU’s Top Legislative Priorities.

Country Of Origin Labeling

HB 350 Montana Country of Origin Placarding Bill, sponsored by Rep. Frank Smith (HD 31): Killed in the House Agriculture Committee on an 8-11 vote, the bill asked retailers to post a placard by beef and pork product displays, indicating whether the beef and/or pork was “born, raised, and processed in the U.S.A”, or “Imported/Origin Unlabeled.”

Proponents included: Montana Farmers Union, Northern Plains Resource Council, Montana Cattlemen’s Association, Montana Organic Association, National Farmers Organization, and Montana farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Opponents included: Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Retailers Association.

As a result of the bill being killed, Montana consumers still won’t know for sure if their meat is truly born, raised, and processed in the U.S. – or merely packaged in the U.S. – and Montana ranchers still won’t receive full credit for their high-quality product.

House Resolution (HR) 6 urged Congress to pass mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for beef and pork. This resolution was brought forward by Rep. James Bergstrom. Rep. Bergstrom did vote in favor of HB 350, and we thank him for his support of the measure. There is strong momentum at the federal level with the American Beef Labeling Act, and MFU looks forward to continued advocacy on this measure in Congress.

Agricultural Right To Repair

HB 475 sponsored by Rep.Tom France (HD 94) and SB 347, sponsored by Sen. Willis Curdy (SD 49): Both bills were tabled in committees, and would have provided farmers, ranchers, and independent repair providers fair access to the software and tools necessary to fully repair agricultural equipment, which equipment manufacturers currently refuse to allow farmers and ranchers to access.

Proponents included: Montana Farmers Union, Northern Plains Resource Council, Montana Cattleman’s Association, Ron Harmon of Big Equipment in Havre, USPIRG, Repair.org, and other right to repair advocates. Opponents included: Montana Equipment Dealers Association, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, the Montana Auto Dealers, and several farm equipment dealerships in Montana.

The Montana Legislature’s failure to act on the issue leaves the hands of Montana farmers, ranchers, and independent repair mechanics tied by corporate control.

In comparison, Colorado recently passed legislation to give producers the tools they need to fix their own equipment.

MFU President Walter Schweitzer issued the following statement regarding this exciting news: “I am ecstatic about the news of the passing of Right to Repair in Colorado.This will provide an opportunity for all producers and independent repair shops across America to be able to buy the tools to repair our own farm equipment without being held hostage to the equipment manufacturers.”

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union lead the effort with the help of Farmers Union members from around the country, including Montana.

Local Food System Resiliency

The Montana Food Promotion bill, SB 537 sponsored by Sen. Jason Small (SD 21): Despite being positively received, the bill was tabled on an 8-4 party-line vote by the Senate Taxation Committee. Many Montana direct-to-consumer producers have faced barriers when trying to access market shelf space for their products. This bill would have allowed retailers to deduct the cost of Montana-made foods at the time of purchase instead of at the time of sale – which means they can keep Montana products on the shelves – and deduct the sales of Montana foods from their tax liability. This bill would have allowed Montanans to learn more about products being produced in their local communities and provide more choices, while providing a voluntary tax incentive to retailers. The bill also would have helped level the playing field for family farmers, ranchers, and direct-toconsumer producers so their products can compete on grocery shelves.

Proponents of the bill were: Montana Farmers Union, Northern Plains Resource Council, Western Montana Growers Coop, and individual farmers and ranchers who grow and raise direct-toconsumer products.

Montana Farmers Union continues to advocate for competitive market access and opportunities for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, as well as building up local and regional food systems.

Agricultural Data Harvest

HB 966 was sponsored by Rep. Katie Sullivan. HB 966 introduced many legislators to the issue of farmers’ data being harvested – often without farmers’ knowledge – every time they or custom farmers use precision ag equipment. Legislators’ interest was piqued, but the bill was killed in the House Agriculture Committee on an 8-10 vote, with most republicans voting to kill it. The bill would have required anyone collecting data through precision ag to inform farmers and allow farmers to opt out. The bill also required that collected data be released immediately to the Montana Department of Agriculture to eliminate the opportunity for insider information that could be used to manipulate commodity markets.

Data collected from farmers should not be used to take advantage of farmers. We are working with Rep. Sullivan on an interim study, as the committee expressed interest in learning more.

To learn more about Montana Farmers Union’s legislative efforts on behalf of Montana’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities, go to montanafarmersunion.com/legislation/.

Author Sarah Vogel will join Montana Farmers Union Book Club members for a live Zoom Q&A and discussion of her book, “The Farmer’s Lawyer,” during the club’s first meeting in May.

The statewide book club launched in April, and Vogel’s book is the first selection.

Vogel will join club members to discuss her book during the club’s first meeting via Zoom at 7 p.m. on May 17.

MFU Member Services Director Rachel Prevost said she’s excited for participants to read the first book selection and connect with each other.

“Sarah has been a forever advocate for family farmers and ranchers, and we thought, ‘What better way to kick off a farmcentric book club,’” Prevost said.

Prevost encouraged book club members to attend the first meeting, regardless of whether they have finished the book, to connect with other club members.

Following the conclusion of the first book club discussion, Montana Farmers Union will announce the next book of the book club and the timeline for the next selection.

Registration for the Montana Farmers Union Book Club will always be open to members, friends and the public. You can learn the current selection the book club is reading at MFU’s website .

While it’s not necessary to be a MFU member to be a Book Club member, being an MFU member gives you access to complimentary copies of future book selections.

Go to https://montanafarmersunion. com/MFU-bookclub/ to learn more and register ahead of May 17 or for future selections.

-MONTANA FARMERS UNION-