AB284: Bill Text

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2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE

2003 Assembly BILL 284

April 23, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Ott, Ainsworth, Albers, Bies, Freese, Gronemus, Gunderson, Hahn, Hines, Kerkman, Kreibich, M. Lehman, Petrowski, Pettis, Plouff, Seratti, Townsend and Vrakas, cosponsored by Senators Harsdorf, Breske, Kedzie, A. Lasee, Schultz, Stepp, Welch and Zien. Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

AB284,1,4 An Act to amend 29.736 (1) (b), 95.60 (3m) and 95.60 (4s) (c); and to repeal and recreate 95.60 (3) of the statutes; relating to: the requirement that operators of fish farms provide evidence of fish health and granting rule-making authority.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law requires a person who operates a fish farm to register annually the fish farm with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Current law also requires the operator of a fish farm to obtain annually a fish health certificate for any fish eggs present or any fish reared on the fish farm, except that an operator who does not sell, distribute, or release live fish or fish eggs may rely on the health certificate of the person from whom the operator obtained fish or fish eggs.

This bill eliminates the requirement to obtain a fish health certificate. The bill authorizes DATCP to promulgate rules that require a fish farm operator to provide any evidence of fish health that DATCP determines is necessary.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB284, s. 1 Section 1. 29.736 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB284,2,4 29.736 (1) (b) "Qualified inspector" means a veterinarian licensed under ch. 453 or a person who is qualified to issue provide evidence of fish health certificates under s. 95.60 (4s) (c).

AB284, s. 2 Section 2. 95.60 (3) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB284,2,8 95.60 (3) The department may promulgate rules, applicable to persons who operate fish farms, that require any evidence of fish health that the department determines is necessary.

AB284, s. 3 Section 3. 95.60 (3m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB284,2,14 95.60 (3m) A person who operates a fish farm shall annually register the fish farm with the department. The person registering the fish farm shall provide any evidence of the fish health certificate required under sub. (3) and shall identify the activities that will be engaged in, the species of fish that will be used, and the facilities that will be used on the fish farm.

AB284, s. 4 Section 4. 95.60 (4s) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB284,2,19 95.60 (4s) (c) In consultation with the department of natural resources, promulgate rules specifying the qualifications that a person who is not a veterinarian must satisfy in order to issue provide evidence of fish health certificates.

AB284,2,20 (End)