URGENT Support Arkansas HB 1536 for Raw Milk

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Support Arkansas HB 1536 milkpitcherGlass

Allow on-farm sales of raw milk - Hearing Friday, March 15

House Bill 1536 would allow on-farm average monthly sales of up to 500 gallons raw cow's milk and 500 gallons raw goat's milk at the farm where the milk is produced. Current law allows for up to 100 gallons for goat's milk only.

HB 1536 is opposed by the Health Department and Farm Bureau. Please see the Note from the Bill's Sponsor, Rep. Randy Alexander (District 88). The bill will be heard Friday, March 15th in the House Ag Committee at 9:00 a.m.

Let the committee know there is a lot of support for HB 1536.

Please pass this alert on and ask others to do the same.

Take Action #1 - Contact Committee Members

Urge them to pass HB 1536

Below is a list of members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development. If you are a constituent of one of the members, please let them know that you are when you call their office.

Take Action #2 - Attend the Hearing

Give testimony, if at all possible.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Friday - March 15, 2013

WHERE: Arkansas State Capitol

Room 138 Arkansas House.
500 Woodlane Street

Little Rock, AR [directions]

BRING: It's best to be prepared with written comments.

EMAIL MEMBERS:
Whether you attend or not, you may also email Committee Members asking them, "Please support the passage of HB 1536 to allow the on-farm sale of raw milk." Then add any additional comments. You may copy and paste the following list in the "To" field of your email:

[email protected]; [email protected];

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Note from the Bill's Sponsor

Raw Milk Friends !

I just want to update you to let you know HB 1536 will be heard by the House Agriculture Committee this Friday, March 15th at 9:00 am in Room 138. This bill will be opposed by the Health Department and it is also opposed by the Farm Bureau, although I believe I have a commitment from them that they will not testify against it at the hearing.

If any of you would be able to attend to speak on behalf of this bill that would be fantastic! If you wish to speak, you simply sign up with the clerk at the front of the committee room when you come in.

I had this bill sent to the Agriculture Committee rather than Health so I think we have a reasonably good chance to get it out of committee. If we can do that, I believe it will pass the House.

If you cannot attend, please write and express your support to the members of the committee. E-mails to your legislators DO have an impact, especially if it is personal and not a copy of 15 others they receive. You can find out the committee members online by going to arkleg.house

Also, there is a free app you can get that will allow you to get contact information on ALL state legislators, committee information and see the bills under review. You can get this by going to LobbyUp on your smart phone or I-phone.

Prayers would be helpful as well. Thanks for your support of this bill.

Randy Alexander

State Representative, District 88