Sec. 1. 7 MRSA c. 601 is amended by repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 601

MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS

Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §2900 is enacted to read:

§2900.__Milk and milk products

The commissioner, after holding public hearings in a manner consistent with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, shall establish standards by rule for the inspection and examination, licensing, permitting, testing, labeling and sanitation of milk and milk product production and distribution and may change those standards.

The standards must be consistent with the minimum requirements of the official standards, known as the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, as issued by the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, but that do not preclude the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products in the State.

The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters is authorized to report out legislation specific to the labeling of unpasteurized milk and milk products and sale restrictions of unpasteurized milk and milk products.

Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §2901, as amended by PL 1997, c. 639, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §2901-A, as enacted by PL 1973, c. 67, is amended to read:

§2901-A. Standards and labeling

Notwithstanding any other requirements of this chapter, milk and milk products, defined in accordance with standards then in effect which that have been adopted by the United States Government and labeled in conformity with labeling requirements then in effect which that have been adopted by the United States Government, shall be deemed are considered to conform with the