Bill No.: SF0004 Drafter: JDA
LSO No.: 13LSO-0241 Effective Date: 7/1/2013
Enrolled Act No.: SEA0018
Chapter No.: CH0050
Prime Sponsor: Senator Geis
Catch Title: Livestock disease reporting and liability.
Subject: Diseased livestock.
Summary/Major Elements:
· This bill provides that a person who knows they have diseased livestock and transfers the livestock or allows the livestock to comingle with uninfected livestock is liable for the economic damages for the spread of the disease to uninfected livestock.
· The bill specifies that a false claim is punishable by three times the damages caused and reasonable attorney’s fees.
· The bill provides that damages shall not be available to a person receiving an animal with written notice that the animal is infected.
· The bill provides that a livestock sales or auction facility is not liable if the disease was not reported or known by the facility or the facility provided written notice of the disease to the person claiming damages.