Bill > SB414

This bill updates Montana's laws regarding garbage feeding to swine by expanding and clarifying the definition of "garbage" to explicitly include packaging materials, which are now prohibited from being fed to animals. The bill modifies three sections of Montana Code Annotated, revising the legal definition of garbage to comprehensively cover waste materials derived from animal products, food handling, and packaging materials, while specifically excluding waste materials without animal products. The legislation maintains the existing prohibition on handling, preparing, cooking, or feeding garbage to swine or other animals, with an exception for individuals feeding their own household garbage to animals they own. The penalties for violating these regulations remain similar to the previous law, imposing a misdemeanor charge with potential fines between $50 and $250, possible imprisonment for up to 6 months, and allowing courts to issue injunctions to prevent repeated violations. Each day of violation is considered a separate offense. The primary purpose of the bill appears to be enhancing food safety and agricultural practices by more precisely defining and restricting garbage feeding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4185