Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that establishes regulations for the release of certain agricultural data.

Highlights:

• Establishes that certain data recorded under the federal Animal Disease Traceability program is not considered public record, including (Sec. 5):
• Premises regulation data;
• Animal identification data; and
• Animal tracking data.

• Authorizes the director of any state agency or the state veterinarian within the Department of Agriculture to release information not considered public record, such that the information in question is (Sec. 5):
• Useful in controlling or preventing a disease outbreak;
• For public safety purposes; or
• To show certain animals or herds are not involved in a disease outbreak.

• Establishes damages of up to $10,000 for violations of these provisions (Sec. 5).  

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that establishes regulations for the release of certain agricultural data.

Highlights:

• Establishes that certain data recorded under the federal Animal Disease Traceability program is not considered public record, including (Sec. 5):
• Premises regulation data;
• Animal identification data; and
• Animal tracking data.

• Authorizes the director of any state agency or the state veterinarian within the Department of Agriculture to release information not considered public record, such that the information in question is (Sec. 5):
• Useful in controlling or preventing a disease outbreak;
• For public safety purposes; or
• To show certain animals or herds are not involved in a disease outbreak.

• Establishes damages of up to $10,000 for violations of these provisions (Sec. 5).  

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the release of certain agricultural data.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a state agency from releasing certain data collected under the Federal Animal Disease Traceability Program, or data collected from farmers or ranchers, including the following (Sec. A):
• Data on premises registration;
• Data on animal identification;
• Data on the environment; and
• Data on animal tracking.  

• Authorizes the director of a state agency, or a state veterinarian within the Department of Agriculture to release otherwise closed information for the following purposes (Sec. A):
• For the purposes of controlling or preventing a disease outbreak;
• For the purposes of public safety; or
• For the purposes of showing that particular animals or herds are not involved in a disease outbreak.

• Prohibits a state agency from releasing proprietary information (Sec. A).

• Authorizes an individual to bring a civil action against a state agency if the state agency violates the provisions of this bill in a court of competent jurisdiction where the court may order any of the following appropriate relief (Sec. A):
• Requirement of fines for damages in an amount up to $10,000;
• Requirement of payment of reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and expenses; and
• Requirement of any injunctive relief the court deems necessary and proper.

Full Bill Text