Senate Bill No. [number], introduced by J. Fuller, aims to establish protections for working animals in Montana by preventing local governments from enacting ordinances or resolutions that would ban their use in commerce or service. The bill defines "working animals" as nonhuman animals used for specific duties in various sectors, excluding certain livestock. It guarantees the right to utilize working animals for their benefit and prohibits local governments from creating undue hardships related to their use in activities such as agriculture, law enforcement, and education. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not alter existing state laws regulating animal care, public health, or safety.

The bill also amends Section 7-1-111 of the Montana Code Annotated to include a new provision that explicitly denies local governments the power to enact ordinances that would terminate, ban, or create undue hardship regarding the use of working animals. This amendment reinforces the protections established in the new sections and ensures that local government regulations do not conflict with the rights of working animals as defined in the bill. Overall, the legislation seeks to safeguard the role of working animals in various industries while maintaining necessary regulations for animal care and public safety.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-111
SB0096_1(1): 7-1-111
SB0096_1(2): 7-1-111
SB0096_1(3): 7-1-111
SB0096_1(4): 7-1-111
SB0096_1(5): 7-1-111
SB0096_1(6): 7-1-111
SB0096_1: 7-1-111