Live Cervidae importation to certain accredited facilities allowed.

HF 434 amends Minnesota law to allow the importation of live Cervidae (deer, elk, moose, etc.) into the state for certain accredited facilities. Specifically, it permits importation by facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), provided animals come from herds in certified chronic wasting disease (CWD) programs and meet testing requirements. The bill maintains existing CWD prevention rules but creates a specific exception for AZA-accredited institutions, including allowing importation of semen from certified herds and orphaned non-CWD-susceptible animals after risk assessment. This directly affects AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums seeking to import live Cervidae for conservation or display. The change modifies Minnesota Statutes § 35.155, subdivision 12, without altering broader CWD testing or seizure provisions.