Several states are pushing forward with bills aimed at expanding consumer access to unpasteurized dairy products this legislative session. Michigan’s raw milk bill was filed in November.
Raw milk arguments in committee
In Michigan, the raw milk debate came to a head on January 15, 2026, when the House Government Operations Committee held a hearing on a three-bill package (HB 5217) that would legalize direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk. The legislation would exempt direct farm-to-consumer producers from state licensing and pasteurization requirements.
The hearing drew testimony from both sides. Ashley Armstrong, who operates Armstrong Farms in southwest Michigan, argued that people should have the right to make informed decisions about health risks. “Alcohol, vape pens, sushi with raw fish, raw oysters and even raw cookie dough,” Armstrong told the committee. “In those cases, the government doesn’t ban access. Instead, it provides information and allows adults to decide for themselves.”
133 cards were submitted in favor with 231 individuals backing the legislation.
However, the bills face significant opposition from agricultural organizations and state regulators. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Dairy Foods Association, and Michigan Farm Bureau all urged the committee to reject the measure. Rebecca Park, legislative counsel for the Michigan Farm Bureau, warned that any raw milk outbreaks could damage consumer trust in Michigan’s broader dairy industry.
Farm Bureaus are famously against raw milk. Often landed, sometimes outright degenerate, here’s a former Utah Farm Bureau President slapping his migrant worker for complaining about late pay.
The committee adjourned without taking action on the bills, which remain pending as the legislature reconvenes on January 21, 2026.
The Broader Landscape
These legislative efforts reflect a national trend of expanding raw milk access. Currently, eight states allow unrestricted retail sales of raw milk: California, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington. An additional 29 states permit some form of on-farm sales, while others allow herd share arrangements where consumers purchase ownership stakes in dairy animals. Michigan is currently a herdshare state, requiring membership in a private food club to access raw milk.
Federal law prohibits interstate sale of raw milk for human consumption, leaving regulation to individual states. This has created a patchwork of laws that vary significantly across the country.
View the Raw Milk Law Map