Bill would alter disease testing protocol for livestock

Caven Wade UM Legislative News Service University of Montana School of Journalism

A bill passed by the House of Representatives would require ranchers to corral livestock when the Department of Livestock requests to test animals for disease. The bill is now in the Senate.

Rep. Ross Fitzgerald, R-Fairfield, is sponsoring House Bill 100, which allows the Department of Livestock to levy fees against Montana ranchers if they do not adequately corral animals for inspection of dangerous contaminants and diseases.

“It turned into a requirement to cooperate with the Department of Livestock in testing...