CA AB1285

Secretary of Food and Agriculture must appoint a poultry health advisory committee including egg producers, broiler producers, turkey producers, game bird producers, academic poultry health experts, and veterinarians to advise on poultry disease control and management.

Secretary may adopt regulations to control or eradicate poultry diseases, including permits for poultry importation, limitations on intrastate/interstate movement, diagnostic testing and vaccination requirements, and notification of exposed poultry owners.

Willful and knowing violation of adopted poultry health regulations is a misdemeanor; secretary may alternatively prosecute civilly or seek civil penalties under existing law.

State Veterinarian's existing quarantine powers under Section 9562 are expressly preserved and cannot be limited or restricted by this act.

No state reimbursement is required for local agencies or school districts since costs result from creating a new crime under existing constitutional and statutory provisions.