SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5006

                    As of January 25, 1999

Title:  An act relating to exempting animal pregnancy testing from veterinary licensing requirements.

Brief Description:  Exempting animal pregnancy testing from veterinary licensing requirements.

Sponsors:  Senators Morton, Stevens and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff:  Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background:  To practice veterinary medicine, veterinarians in the state are required to hold a license.  One of the requirements to obtain a license is to successfully pass an examination.

Veterinary practices are defined by statute.  Included in this definition is any manual procedure for the diagnosis of pregnancy, sterility, or infertility upon livestock.

There are a number of exemptions in the act.  For example, a person may practice veterinary medicine upon his or her own animal.  A specific exemption is also provided for persons to castrate or dehorn cattle and to artificially inseminate animals.

Summary of Bill:  Persons advising with respect to or performing pregnancy tests on animals are exempt from the Veterinary Practices Act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.