SS/SCS/SB 254 - This act specifies that the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the county sheriff for the county in which the facility is located, the United States Department of Agriculture, and any other federal or Missouri state agency with statutory or regulatory authority shall have exclusive authority to inspect the grounds or facilities located in Missouri for the production of eggs, milk or other dairy products, the raising of livestock or poultry, or the production or raising of dogs or other animals that are not used to produce any food product. No person, individual, corporation or other association, governmental entity, or any other entity shall inspect such grounds or facilities to enforce or carry out the laws of Missouri or any other state unless specifically requested by the owner of the grounds or facilities, or pursuant to a search warrant lawfully issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The act shall not apply to:
1. Inspections performed in charter counties or the city of St. Louis;
2. Inspections performed on any further processing component of any production agriculture farm; or
3. Certain searches carried out by Department of Conservation agents and other law enforcement officers.
No testimony or evidence regarding any condition or event at the grounds or facilities listed in the act shall be admissible in any criminal prosecution or civil case unless offered by certain individuals listed in the act.
This act is similar to HCS/HB 574 (2021), SCS/SB 699 (2020), HB 1583 (2020), and the perfected HCS/HB 951 (2019).
JAMIE ANDREWS
Statutes affected: Introduced (1134S.01):
261.099Committee (1134S.02):
261.099
Senate Committee Minutes: SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 254
Sponsor: Riddle
Hearing Date: 2/8/2021
COMMITTEE: Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources
CHAIRMAN: Bernskoetter
DATE REFERRED: 1/28/2021 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/28/2021
STAFF:
Jamie Andrews
Heidi Kolkmeyer
Matt Morris
Penny Mueller
WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
Eleni Bickell - MOST Policy Initiative
Andy Arnold - Stray Dog Policy
WITNESSES FOR:
John Bryan - Missouri Poultry Federation
Tony Dugger - Missouri pet Breeders Association
Heath Clarkston - Missouri Veterinary Medical Association
Samantha Davis - Missouri Corn Growers Association
Brent Hemphill - Missouri Pork Association
BJ Tanksley - Missouri Farm Bureau
Shannon Cooper - Missouri Cattlemen's Association
Casey Wasser - Missouri Soybean Association
WITNESSES AGAINST:
Michael Berg - Sierra Club Missouri Chapter
Brian Smith - Missouri Rural Crisis Center
Dawn Nicklas - Missouri Coalition for the Environment
Arnie C. AC "Honest-Abe" DIENOFF - State Public Advocate Do not Block Health Agencies
Bob Baker - Alliance for Animal Legislation