Dalton Gardens Rep. Vito Barbieri proposed legislation this afternoon to ease Idaho's rules on sales of raw milk, and ran into opposition in the House Agriculture Committee, whose members noted that extensive work was done just last year to revise Idaho's rules for raw milk. "We did compromise a lot," said Rep. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls. "This kinda takes a lot of that away." Said Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, "I think this is opening the door that we tried to close last year." Rep. Roy Lacey, D-Pocatello, said, "I'm concerned about this, because it pretty much opens it up to everybody. Pretty much anybody can produce raw milk and sell it." Barbieri responded, "I believe you're correct."

Under questioning from the committee, Barbieri said he didn't work with either of the groups that worked on the issue all last session. "Essentially it's just eliminating a layer of regulation," Barbieri said. Patrick said, "Milk is very dangerous if it's not handled properly," and moved to reject Barbieri's proposal; the motion passed, and the bill won't be introduced.