Chapter 368
2012 -- S 2618
Enacted 06/21/12
A N A C T
RELATING TO
ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - LIVESTOCK - WELFARE OF LIVESTOCK
Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Felag, Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Perry
Date Introduced: March 01, 2012
It is enacted by the
General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled
"ANIMALS AND ANIMAL
HUSBANDRY" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER
26
THE
COUNCIL
ACT OF 2012
4-26-1.
Short title. – This chapter shall be known and
may be cited as the “
Livestock Welfare and Care
Standards Advisory Council Act of 2012.”
4-26-2.
Findings. – The general assembly hereby finds
that:
(1) Livestock is the
core of dairy and livestock farming in
(2) The care and
management of livestock are important to the profitability of Rhode
Island farms and the maintenance of
(3) There exists in
this state a demand for safe, locally produced food.
(4) Livestock raised
on
opportunity for
(5) Livestock deserve
a safe, healthy and humane environment that ensures protection
from unnecessary or unjustifiable pain.
(6) The state would
benefit from a diverse body charged with making policy
recommendations to the department regarding livestock care.
(7) It is the intent
of this legislation to assure the continued success of livestock and dairy
farming in
4-26-3.
Definitions. – As used in this chapter, unless
the context indicates a different
meaning or intent:
(1) “Advisory
council” or “council” means the
standards advisory council act of 2012 established pursuant to
4-26-4.
(2) “Agricultural
operation” means any individual, partnership or corporation that
complies with section 44-27-3 and subsection 2-1-22(j) and
produces and distributes a
commercial food, feed, fiber or horticultural product.
(3) “Biosecurity” means security from transmission of infectious
diseases, parasites and
pests.
(4) “Director” means
the director of the
management.
(5) “State
veterinarian’ means a licensed veterinarian employed by the department of
environmental management.
(6) “License” means the
certificate issued by the director to any person, firm, partnership,
or corporation regularly engaged in the business of
buying, selling and/or transporting livestock
to be sold or used for food.
(7) “Livestock” means
any bovine, equine, caprine, ovine, camelid, swine, poultry, or
other animal that is raised for production of food or
fiber, or is used for work, commerce, or
exhibition.
4-26-4. Advisory
council established. – (a) There is
established a livestock care
standards advisory council consisting of the state
veterinarian, or his or her designee, who shall
serve as the chairperson and six (6) public members
appointed by the director as follows:
(1) A representative
from the
serve as secretary;
(2) A representative
from the
animals, or his or her designee;
(3) A
(4) A representative
from the
life sciences, or his or her designee;
(5) A representative
from a
designee; and
(6) A representative
from a national nonprofit animal welfare entity.
(b)
Two (2) of those new members first appointed by the director shall serve
initial terms
of three (3) years; two (2) of those new members first
appointed by the director shall serve an
initial term of two (2) years; and two (2) of those new
members, appointed by the director shall
serve an initial term of one year. Thereafter, all
appointed members of the advisory council shall
be appointed to serve for terms of three (3) years. The
members are eligible to succeed
themselves. A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled
in the manner of the original
appointment but only for the unexpired portion of the term.
(c) The director may
remove any member from the council for neglect of any duty
required by law, or for incompetence, or unprofessional or
dishonorable conduct.
(d) The members of
the council shall receive no compensation for their services but may
receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses
while engaged in the performance
of official duties of the council.
(e) The council shall
meet at least quarterly and at the call of the chairperson or four (4)
members of the council. A majority of seats filled shall
constitute a quorum.
(f) The council shall
receive staff and administrative support from the department. The
director shall furnish the advisory board a suitable location
to hold its meeting.
(g) All departments
and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,
documentation, and otherwise to the council and its agents as is
deemed necessary or desirable by
the council to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.
4-26-5.
Duties of the council. – The council shall support
and work collaboratively with
the department as follows:
(1) Review and
evaluate laws and rules of the state applicable to the care and handling of
livestock as defined in subsection 4-26-3(c’) including, but
not limited to:
(i)
The overall health and welfare of livestock species;
(ii) Agricultural
operation best management practices;
(iii) Biosecurity and disease prevention;
(iv)
Humane transport and slaughter practices; and
(v) Any other matters
the council considers necessary for the proper care and well being
of livestock animals in the state.
(2) Respond to
requests from the legislature for information and comments on proposed
legislation;
(3) Issue
recommendations necessary to achieve these goals;
(4) Submit policy
recommendations to the director and general assembly on any of the
subject matter set forth under subdivision (ii) of this
subsection.
4-26-6. Reporting
requirements._– (a) The council shall
provide a report of its
recommendations and findings. Said report shall be provided to the
department, governor and
general assembly by April 30, 2013.
(b) Thereafter, the
council shall provide a written report to the governor and the general
assembly, no later than April 30 of each year, on the progress
made in achieving the goals and
objectives set forth in this chapter and any other pertinent
information by April 30, 2013.
(c) The council shall
be subject to the provisions of chapter 38-2, access to public records
act, and chapter 42-46, open meetings act.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC02100
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