IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
General Assembly File No. 248 February Session, 2012 House Bill No. 5258 House of Representatives, April 4, 2012
The Committee on Environment reported through REP. ROY of the 119th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the bill ought to pass. AN ACT PERMITTING THE POSSESSION OF REINDEER YEAR ROUND. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 26-57a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012): Any person may [import one or more] possess reindeer [into] in the state [during the period commencing on Thanksgiving Day of each] on any day of the year, [and ending on the immediately following New Year's Day, provided (1) any reindeer so imported is subsequently exported from the state no later than a week following the end of such period, and (2) such importation] provided such possession complies with the following requirements: Each reindeer so [imported (A)] possessed (1) is individually identified by a permanent metal ear tag, legible tattoo or microchip, [(B)] (2) possesses a certified veterinary report of inspection documenting an inspection that occurred at least one day and not more than thirty days after such reindeer was born in the state or at least one day and not more than thirty days prior to entry into the state, [(C)] (3) possesses documentation that verifies such reindeer [(i)] (A) was born from or comes from a herd that is free of both tuberculosis and brucellosis, or [(ii)] (B) tested negative for tuberculosis and brucellosis at least one day and not more than thirty days after its birth in the state or prior to its entry into the state, and [(D)] (4) possesses documentation that the originating herd participated in a state chronic wasting disease monitoring program [(i)] (A) not less than the prior three years if such reindeer was imported from a state or province not known to have chronic wasting disease, or [(ii)] (B) not less than the prior five years if such reindeer was imported from a state or province known to have chronic wasting disease outbreaks. This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2012 26-57aENVJoint Favorable The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst's professional knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department. OFA Fiscal Note State Impact: Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 13 $FY 14 $ Department of Energy and Environmental Protection GF - See Below See Below See Below Note: GF=General Fund Municipal Impact: None Explanation The bill, which allows anyone to possess reindeer year round, is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact. However, it should be noted there may be a possibility that reindeer could possess and transmit Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to other animals. It is unclear to what extent this would occur. Potential significant costs could be incurred by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) associated with the identification and treatment of CWD if this disease were introduced through the possession of reindeer. The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the presence of CWD. OLR Bill Analysis HB 5258 AN ACT PERMITTING THE POSSESSION OF REINDEER YEAR ROUND. SUMMARY: This bill allows anyone to possess reindeer in Connecticut on any day of the year under specified conditions. Current law allows anyone to import reindeer into the state between Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day if they are (1) individually identified, (2) certified to be in good health, and (3) exported from the state by January 8. EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2012 REINDEER POSSESSION Similar to current law, the bill requires each reindeer to: 1. be individually identified by a permanent metal ear tag, legible tattoo, or microchip; 2. have a certified veterinary report documenting a health inspection that took place between one and 30 days before entering or after being born in the state; 3. have documentation that verifies it (a) comes from a tuberculosis- and brucellosis-free herd or (b) tested negative for these diseases between one and 30 days before entering or after being born in the state; and 4. have documentation that its originating herd was part of a state chronic wasting disease (CWD) monitoring program for at least the previous (a) three years if imported from a state or province not known to have CWD or (b) five years if imported from a state or province known to have CWD outbreaks. COMMITTEE ACTION Environment Committee Joint Favorable Yea 28 Nay 0 (03/21/2012)
