HB355 Summary

• Authorizes the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to enter into agreements with federal or other state government laboratories to perform required tests and analyses, with approval from the State Board of Agriculture and Industries.

• Allows the commissioner to use results from federal or state government laboratories for executing or administering agricultural laws and regulations previously required to be performed by department employees.

• Makes certificates of analysis from authorized laboratories admissible as prima facie evidence in Alabama courts, equivalent to certificates from the Department of Agriculture and Industries laboratory.

• Amends multiple sections of Alabama Code related to swine disease diagnostics, poultry disease diagnostics, commercial feed testing, seed testing, pesticide residue analysis, weights and measures, and petroleum product standards to permit testing through outside laboratories as authorized in the main provision.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.