Bill > HB700

This bill amends Kentucky laws related to cervids (deer-like animals) to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and other cervid species. The bill establishes new restrictions on the movement of cervids and cervid parts from areas with known CWD infections. Specifically, it creates CWD surveillance zones within a 30-mile radius of a CWD-positive detection for wild cervids and a 10-mile radius for captive cervids, during which it is illegal to export cervid carcasses, live cervids, or certain cervid parts outside these zones. The bill provides several exemptions for specific cervid parts like antlers, cleaned skulls, hides, and boneless meat. Breeding of captive cervids is still allowed within the facility where they are housed, provided each animal is properly tagged. These restrictions will remain in effect for five years after the last CWD-positive detection, and will only be lifted if the area remains CWD-free during that entire period. The law also maintains existing requirements for importing cervids into Kentucky, including surveillance and identification programs, and establishes penalties for violations, including potential felony charges and permanent ineligibility for cervid permits.