MontanaHB 40169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Prohibit the sale of lab-grown meat in the state of Montana

Sponsored By: Braxton Mitchell (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AgricultureCrimesLivestockRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Statewide ban on false ads

The law bans publishing false advertisements in Montana. Businesses and people must make truthful claims in ads statewide. This protects shoppers from misleading marketing.

Lab-grown meat banned with penalties

The law makes it illegal to make, sell, deliver, hold, or offer lab-grown meat in Montana. Anyone who knowingly breaks this ban commits a misdemeanor. Regulators can issue immediate stop-sale orders to pull products from shelves. Restaurants, groceries, and other retail food businesses face disciplinary action, and their licenses can be suspended after related convictions. The health department can write rules to enforce these requirements.

Lab-grown meat not counted as meat

The law defines cell-cultured edible products as food made from animal cells grown in culture, not from a slaughtered animal. It excludes these products from “meat,” “hamburger,” and “ground beef.” It removes a past exception that let some labels call these products meat. These products must follow a separate identity and labeling track.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Braxton Mitchell
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Wylie Galt
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 95

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 34 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 39 • No: 11

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 64 • No: 35

House vote • 3/4/2025