This bill concerns the regulation of livestock and makes several changes to current law. It repeals and substitutes certain sections of the general statutes related to the definition of livestock and the authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture to make orders and regulations regarding the importation, transportation, and disposal of livestock. The bill also adds new definitions for terms such as "accredited veterinarian" and "certificate of veterinary inspection." Additionally, the bill grants the commissioner the authority to quarantine animals that are infected with a communicable disease or do not meet import, export, or disease testing requirements. Violations of quarantine orders may result in fines.

The bill also amends current law regarding the testing and control of diseases in livestock animals. It adds language that allows the commissioner to give notice of any order limiting or prohibiting the importation, transportation, exhibiting, or disposing of livestock on any highway by publishing a copy of the order in a newspaper or by sending electronic notice. The bill also allows the commissioner to employ assistants to enforce these orders and regulations. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum fine for violating these provisions to $500 per day per animal, up to a maximum fine of $25,000. The bill also repeals and replaces sections of current law related to the testing and control of diseases in livestock animals. The new language allows the commissioner to require and provide for the testing and control of tuberculosis in livestock animals in the state. The procedures for testing and the control and disposition of infected livestock shall conform to the USDA Uniform Methods and Rules for Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-278, 22-279, 22-279a, 22-287, 22-288, 22-288a, 22-294, 22-295, 22-296, 22-298, 22-301, 22-303, 22-308, 22-309, 22-316, 22-318a, 22-319b, 22-320a, 22-321
ENV Joint Favorable Substitute: 22-278, 22-279, 22-279a, 22-287, 22-288, 22-288a, 22-294, 22-295, 22-296, 22-298, 22-301, 22-303, 22-308, 22-309, 22-316, 22-318a, 22-319b, 22-320a, 22-321
File No. 274: 22-278, 22-279, 22-279a, 22-287, 22-288, 22-288a, 22-294, 22-295, 22-296, 22-298, 22-301, 22-303, 22-308, 22-309, 22-316, 22-318a, 22-319b, 22-320a, 22-321
JUD Joint Favorable: 22-278, 22-279, 22-279a, 22-287, 22-288, 22-288a, 22-294, 22-295, 22-296, 22-298, 22-301, 22-303, 22-308, 22-309, 22-316, 22-318a, 22-319b, 22-320a, 22-321
Public Act No. 23-187: 22-278, 22-279, 22-279a, 22-287, 22-288, 22-288a, 22-294, 22-295, 22-296, 22-298, 22-301, 22-303, 22-308, 22-309, 22-316, 22-318a, 22-319b, 22-320a, 22-321