| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
ESB 5204
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Enforcing animal health laws.
Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Schoesler, Shin, Hatfield, Jacobsen and Morton; by request of Department of Agriculture.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/21/07
Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).
Background:
Under the state's animal health statutes, the Director of the Department of Agriculture
(Department) is required to supervise prevention of the spread and the suppression of infectious,
contagious, communicable, or dangerous diseases affecting animals within, in transit through,
and imported into the state. The Department's Animal Health program monitors the movement
of animals across state lines by reviewing health certificates which are required for most animals
entering the state and issuing or denying required permits. The program also sets requirements
for reporting and controlling certain diseases, conducts tests and inspections to detect specific
diseases, and engages in emergency management planning to enable trace-back and disease
control.
Summary of Bill:
The Director of the Department (Director) is authorized to establish inspection points, stop
vehicles transporting animals on public roads, and inspect them to check for accompanying valid
health certificates, permits or other documents required under animal health statutes or rules.
The vehicles must stop at any posted inspection point. The emphasis on such stops will be on
livestock being brought in from outside the state. The Director or appointed officers are also
authorized to stop a vehicle on a public road at other than a posted inspection point if there is
reasonable cause to believe the animals are being transported in violation of animal health laws
or rules. The Director is authorized to issue notices of and enforce class 1 civil infractions if a
person stopped while transporting animals is not carrying valid animal health documents.
It is lawful to bring into the state without first obtaining an official health certificate or
veterinary inspection certificate those livestock destined for immediate slaughter specifically at a
federally inspected slaughter facility where federal disease control standards are applied.
Animals that are imported into the state for immediate slaughter must be slaughtered or delivered
to a slaughter establishment within three days after entry, not within seven days as in current
law.
A hold order issued by the Director due to concerns about disease, documents, or the well-being
of animals is in effect for 14 days rather than seven and expires either when released by the
Director or no later than midnight on the fourteenth day.
A person violating the animal health statutes or rules may be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000
or less per violation. The revenues must be deposited in the State General Fund.
It is unlawful to intentionally falsely apply, alter, or remove an official animal health or
identification tag, permanent mark, or other device.
Livestock dealers must carry animal identification and animal health documents as required by
the animal health and livestock identification statutes and rules.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.