Present law authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and the state veterinarian to order tests or vaccinations of animals within the state or imported into the state for the purpose of protecting the health of animals in Tennessee. This bill changes present law by limiting such powers, with regard to tests and vaccinations, to making recommendations for tests or vaccinations of animals within this state or imported into this state for the purpose of protecting the health of animals in this state. Present law authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and the state veterinarian to order the sanitary disposition of any dead animal, with the animal's owner being liable for its disposition. This bill deletes such authorization. Present law authorizes the commissioner of agriculture to promulgate rules to establish procedures for the payment of indemnities for animals destroyed under the law pertaining to the prevention and treatment of animal diseases. Indemnity under present law is not intended to be a full reimbursement but a partial compensation based on, but not limited to, the value of the animal and the availability of funds for that purpose. Indemnification may be disallowed in cases where the owner is in violation of the law concerning prevention and treatment of animal diseases. This bill makes the establishment of an indemnity program by rules mandatory. This bill requires that indemnity be based on, but not limited to, the value of the animal and the availability of funds. This bill deletes authorization to withhold indemnity from the owner of a destroyed animal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 44-2-102, 44-2-105