SB263 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Captive cervids, authorizing Dept. of Agriculture and Industries to pay indemnity for cervids destroyed to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD)

Summary

SB263 would create a state indemnity program to compensate owners of captive cervids destroyed or exposed to chronic wasting disease, supplementing the federal indemnity program.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Chronic Wasting Disease Indemnity Fund in the state treasury and lets the Department of Agriculture and Industries pay indemnity for CWD-positive, exposed, or suspect captive cervids. Indemnity would be 95% of appraised value, up to $3,000 per animal, and only if the federal program does not pay or pays insufficient. If a federal payment exists, the state payment is reduced by the amount that exceeds 5% of the appraised value, so total payments align with 95% of value. Claims follow a department form and require mortgage-holder consent if there is a mortgage; the fund is capped at $500,000 and the act takes effect after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Captive cervid owners or sellers who destroy or purchase CWD-positive, exposed, or suspect animals could receive indemnity payments up to 95% of appraised value (capped at $3,000 per animal) when federal payment is unavailable or inadequate.
• Mortgage holders or other lienholders on the cervids must consent to indemnity payments, and the claim process involves appraisals and consent from required parties.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Chronic Wasting Disease Indemnity Fund in the State Treasury, capped at $500,000.
• Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Industries to pay indemnity for CWD-positive, exposed, or suspect captive cervids, up to 95% of appraised value and a $3,000 per-animal cap, when federal payments are unavailable or insufficient.
• If a federal payment exists, the state's indemnity is reduced by the amount the federal payment exceeds 5% of the appraised value.
• Appraised value is defined as fair market value, assessed via meat or breeding value, and indemnity is calculated as 95% of that value.
• Claims must be filed on department-provided forms and require certification of mortgage status; indemnity requires consent from mortgage holders for mortgaged animals.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; applies to captive cervids as defined in the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Captive Cervids