SB 1570

Present law authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and the state veterinarian to order the destruction and sanitary disposition of any animal, whenever, in the opinion of the state veterinarian, the interests of the state are best served by the destru ction of that animal. Present law authorizes the commissioner to establish procedures for payment of indemnities for destroyed animals. Present law provides that the indemnities are not intended to be a full reimbursement but a partial compensation base d on, but not limited to, the value of the animal and the availability of funds for that purpose. This bill changes present law by requiring the commissioner to establish procedures for the indemnities and specifying that, subject to the availability of funds, an indemnity payment for a destroyed animal must be based on, but is not limited to, the value of the destroyed animal. Present law authorizes the commissioner of agriculture and the state veterinarian to order the sanitary disposition of any dead animal. Present law provides that the owner of the animal is liable for its disposition. This bill changes present law by requiring the s tate to be liable for the disposition of the dead animal.