Farmed Cervidae fencing requirements provisions modifications
Minnesota Senate File 553 amends fencing requirements for farmed deer and similar cervidae (like elk or moose) to enhance containment. It mandates all perimeter fences be at least 96 inches (8 feet) tall, constructed with high-tensile material, and feature two redundant gates to prevent escapes or contact with wild cervidae. Owners must repair fence deficiencies within 14 days, pay reinspection fees for violations, and face facility registration revocation if multiple escapes occur or deficiencies persist. The bill directly affects commercial cervidae farms and is enforced by the Board of Animal Health.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025
Last action Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduction
→
1st Engrossment
·
4 edits
·
Feb 3, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, changing the title and posting date. The most significant policy change is a new requirement that perimeter fences must prevent physical contact between farmed and free-roaming deer, but this specific contact-prevention rule only applies to facilities where the state has already paid for the fence installation. Additionally, a clause regarding state seizure of animals after registration revocation was removed.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding fencing requirements was narrowed; the mandate to prevent physical contact between farmed and wild deer now applies only to facilities receiving state funding for fence installation, rather than all facilities.
REQUIREMENT
Added a specific requirement that perimeter fences must prevent physical contact between farmed and free-roaming deer, but only at facilities where the state paid for the fence installation.
ENFORCEMENT
Removed the provision stating that the commissioner of natural resources could seize and destroy animals if a facility's registration was revoked.
TECHNICAL
Updated the document title from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment' and changed the posting date from January 31, 2025, to March 25, 2025.
SCOPE
Added new sections 2.5 and 2.6 to the bill text.
Floor votes
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Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Comm report: Amended, No recommendation, re-referred to Environment, Climate, and Legacy
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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