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House repeals mandatory brucellosis vaccination clause, sends HB 150 to Senate 69–1
Summary
On Feb. 23 the Utah House passed HB 150 to repeal a longstanding mandatory brucellosis vaccination requirement for certain livestock and to rely on the state veterinarian's authority for import testing and health certificates; the bill passed 69–1 after debate about wildlife reservoirs and interstate movement of disease.
House Bill 150, which removes a statutory mandatory brucellosis vaccination requirement and instead relies on the state veterinarian’s authority to require health certificates and testing for imported animals, passed the House 69–1 on Feb. 23.
Representative Melvin R. Brown, the sponsor, said the change brings Utah law in line with most other states and allows producers to import tested animals from outside Utah — for example, genetics from Canada — while preserving the veterinarian's authority to secure animal health. "What this bill does is repeal that mandatory vaccination clause, allow animals to be imported in under certain circumstances," Brown said on the floor.
Opponents and cautioning members raised concerns about wildlife reservoirs (elk and bison around Yellowstone) and the possibility that infected wildlife could reintroduce brucellosis to domestic herds. Representative Ferry, speaking from experience with feedlots and ranching, warned that infections can persist in aborted fetuses and that interstate and wildlife movement complicate the disease picture.
Several members declared conflicts of interest (feedlot operators, dairy farms) before the vote. The sponsor said the bill preserves the state veterinarian’s authority to require testing and health certificates for animals entering Utah and stressed protections in the text to maintain herd integrity.
Action taken: the House passed HB 150 69 yes, 1 no and referred it to the Senate for further action.
