House Natural Resources Committee members Thursday signed off on Rep. Kerry Gibson's legislation, a new version of a bill that sparked emotional debate and a successful last-minute assault from Utah dairy farmers - including three lawmakers - last year.

Gibson, R-Ogden, himself a Weber County dairy farmer, has changed the bill, boosting accountability from the handful of farms that sell raw milk. It would allow the transport of raw milk to "self-owned" grocery stores, so long as the milk does not leave the farmer's control. And the bill would allow so-called "cow sharing," where several owners own a cow and share the milk. The Farm Bureau and Utah Dairy Association consider the bill a "compromise."

But the Utah Food Industry Association and State Health Department are opposed.

"What will happen to the dairy industry if we have someone get sick, or worse, a food-borne outbreak?" asked Jim Olsen, from the Food Industry Association.

- Rebecca Walsh