HB561 Summary

• Prohibits county and municipal governments from adopting ordinances, rules, or resolutions concerning livestock care and handling or animal husbandry practices on private property; reserves this authority exclusively to the Department of Agriculture and Industries and State Board of Agriculture and Industries.

• Defines "livestock" to include bovines, swine, sheep, goats, equine, ratites, poultry, pen-raised livestock such as quail and deer, and other farm animals.

• Permits counties and municipalities to continue enforcing ordinances related to zoning, business licenses, and public nuisances, and preserves law enforcement authority to investigate violations; does not relieve farms from complying with public health and sanitation requirements.

• Amends Section 2-4-1 to specify that the State Veterinarian shall enforce state livestock sanitary laws relating to livestock care and control of contagious and infectious diseases.

• Amends Section 13A-11-14 to establish penalties for animal cruelty as a Class B misdemeanor with fines up to $3,000 and jail time up to six months, with mandatory minimum fines of $500 on second conviction and $1,000 on third or subsequent convictions.