MO HB2291

Establishes the Missouri Animal Care Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture to review and make recommendations on welfare practices for poultry, livestock, and licensed dog breeding facilities.

Committee membership includes 18 members: the agriculture department director (chair, nonvoting), chairs of Senate and House Agriculture Committees (nonvoting), state veterinarian, university animal sciences chairs, representatives from agricultural organizations (cattlemen, pork, egg, dairy, poultry, corn growers, soybean, farm bureau, equine, livestock marketing, and animal owners), and a university extension specialist.

Committee shall review animal care practices considering health and husbandry standards, farm management practices, veterinary standards, economic impacts, and species-specific guidelines from national organizations.

Committee shall review national species-specific animal care guidelines once every five years and make recommendations to the General Assembly when necessary.

Members receive no compensation, serve at the discretion of their respective positions or organizations, and the Department of Agriculture shall provide technical support and meeting facilities; all meetings subject to Missouri open meetings law.