The Senate Committee for Government Organization reviewed the committee substitute for Senate Bill 496, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 5.
The proposed legislation, which would transfer the authority to regulate milk from the Department of Health and Human Resources to the Department of Agriculture, was highly questioned by committee members.
Following the reading of the bill, Judy Vallandingham Director of Public Health Sanitation at the Bureau of Public Health, came before the committee to address concerns pertaining the the transfer.
According to Vallandingham, a special task force was created to evaluate the potential need for a transfer, and a majority found that the Department of Agriculture would greatly benefit by acquiring the authority. The task force featured a representative from the DHHR, a representative from the Department of Agriculture, a representative from the milk industry and three Senators.
Sen. Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, questioned if the transfer would potentially affect the quality of milk meant for consumption. Vallandingham assured the Senator that the product would be tested through multiple checks in order to produce healthy grade A milk.
The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 352 which relates to the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation acquiring and disposing of goods and commodities.
Both bills were voted to be sent to the full Senate with the recommendation that they each pass.
