Bill > SB96

This bill establishes legal protections for working animals by defining them as nonhuman animals used for specific duties in commerce or enterprise, such as transportation, law enforcement, education, competition, or exhibition, while explicitly excluding livestock like cattle and sheep. The bill prevents local governments from enacting ordinances or resolutions that would terminate, ban, or create undue hardship for working animals in various sectors including agriculture, law enforcement, transportation, entertainment, and education. Specifically, the legislation guarantees the right to utilize working animals and prohibits local governments from implementing rules that would significantly restrict their use, while still maintaining the ability to establish ordinances related to animal care, public health, and public safety. The bill amends existing state law by adding a provision that explicitly prevents local governments from restricting working animals, and it includes a codification instruction to integrate these new provisions into Title 81, Chapter 29 of Montana state law. Importantly, the bill does not override existing state laws or local zoning ordinances, and it provides clear definitions to ensure consistent interpretation of the term "working animal" across different contexts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0569