AL HB509

Amends Alabama Code Section 9-11-30 to establish that cervids (deer family members) possessed by licensed game breeders are the personal property of those licensees.

Prohibits the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources from requiring the killing of a cervid due to disease unless the specific disease has been detected in another cervid owned by the licensee, or the cervid was transferred from another licensee and is epidemiologically linked to a diseased cervid.

Requires the department to adopt rules by March 1, 2026, allowing transfer of cervids from licensees within disease management zones to other licensees outside those zones, with options including double fencing, USDA-certified live testing for chronic wasting disease, or other USDA-approved tests.

Prohibits the department from adopting emergency rules that override the cervid transfer and disease management provisions.

Takes effect immediately upon passage.