HB561 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ralph Howard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Agriculture and livestock, regulation of livestock and animal husbandry, sole jurisdiction of Agriculture and Industries Department, State Veterinarian, duties re livestock diseases, etc., exclusive, cruelty to animals, penalties, Secs. 2-4-1, 13A-11-14 am'd. (2010-20627)

Summary

HB561 shifts exclusive regulatory control of livestock care and animal husbandry on private property to state agencies and strengthens penalties for cruelty to animals, limiting local government authority.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting or maintaining ordinances about how livestock are cared for on private property, placing that authority under the Department of Agriculture and Industries and the State Board of Agriculture and Industries, with certain exceptions. It defines the State Veterinarian appointment process, qualifications, duties, and enforcement of state livestock laws and disease control. It tightens penalties for cruelty to animals, establishing specific fines and jail time for first, second, and subsequent offenses. It preserves existing health statutes and allows state boards to adopt rules to implement these changes, while clarifying that this act does not automatically require local funding under constitutional provisions.

Who It Affects

• Counties and municipalities: barred from enacting or continuing ordinances on livestock care on private property; may still regulate zoning, business licenses, or public nuisances as allowed by exceptions.
• Department of Agriculture and Industries and State Board of Agriculture and Industries: gain sole jurisdiction over care/handling of livestock and must implement rules to carry out the act.
• State Veterinarian and veterinary profession: appointment process defined, must be licensed and in good standing, and responsible for enforcing state livestock laws and disease control.
• Farm owners and private property livestock operators: subject to state oversight and rules rather than local ordinances; must follow state regulations and health statutes.
• Law enforcement and prosecutors: retain authority to investigate and prosecute violations, including cruelty to animals.

Key Provisions

• Section 1 establishes exclusive state control over the care and handling of livestock and animal husbandry on private property, with exceptions for existing ordinances and for zoning or public nuisances; the State Board may adopt rules to implement this authority.
• Section 1 defines 'livestock' to include bovines, swine, sheep, goats, equidae, ratites, poultry, and pen-raised or other farm animals, and states that public health statutes still apply.
• Section 2 amends 2-4-1 to specify that the State Veterinarian is appointed from a list of qualified applicants by the designated authorities, must be a licensed veterinarian and state veterinary association member, and will enforce state livestock laws and disease control.
• Section 2 amends 13A-11-14 to raise penalties for cruelty to animals, including fines and potential imprisonment, with higher penalties on second and subsequent convictions.
• Section 3 notes the act is excluded from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates or changes a crime, meaning local fund expenditure requirements do not apply under that amendment.
• Section 4 sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Agriculture