Detection, Enhanced Education, and Response Act of 2019 or the DEER Act
This bill addresses chronic wasting disease, which is a transmissible disease that afflicts deer, elk, and moose populations.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support state efforts to develop and implement chronic wasting disease surveillance, testing, management, and response activities.
In addition, USDA must (1) establish a multiagency task force to respond to the disease, and (2) award a grant to a land-grant college or university to establish a policy research center for wildlife diseases.