§1902.__State of Maine Animal Response Team Fund

The Treasurer of State shall establish a separate account known as the State of Maine Animal Response Team Fund.__This fund does not lapse but must be carried forward.__Funds from this account may be used to pay for administrative costs associated with section 1311.

SUMMARY

The bill establishes the State of Maine Animal Response Team to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disease outbreaks involving animals. It establishes the State of Maine Animal Response Team Fund. It corrects a minor chapter omission necessary for enforcement. Finally, it establishes a confidentiality clause to protect records and test results relating to diagnostic tests for livestock or poultry diseases performed on samples submitted to or obtained by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and any information reported to the commissioner or the commissioner's duly authorized agents by any person that pertains to diseases among livestock and poultry within the State.