FEBRUARY 14, 2025|
♥Photo♥ – Cow infected with anthrax – Bigfoot99 file photo
The anthrax protocol bill introduced by House District 47 Representative Bob Davis advanced through the House.
On Wednesday, February 12th, the Wyoming House of Representatives read House Bill 90, titled Anthrax Outbreak Protocol, for the third and final time.
Davis introduced the bill following last September’s discovery of anthrax in Elk Mountain. Testing of a dead moose found during a Labor Day picnic showed that the animal died of anthrax poisoning. After expanding the search area, representatives from the State Veterinary Laboratory found at least 50 dead cattle on nearby ranches.
Some were disappointed by the state’s slow response in informing the public about the anthrax outbreak. Speaking at the January 7th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner John Espy said the state, not the county, failed to keep residents informed about the incident. In fact, Commissioner John Espy said a representative from the State Veterinary Lab admitted as much.
The admitted failure of state officials to effectively warn the public about the anthrax outbreak prompted Representative Davis to craft House Bill 90. The legislation requires the Wyoming Livestock Board to “establish a standard notification protocol to inform livestock producers, veterinarians, brand inspectors and other agencies with jurisdiction or authority regarding anthrax outbreaks.”
The measure passed through the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee of the Whole. On Wednesday morning, House Bill 90 was introduced before the Wyoming House of Representatives to be voted on for the third and final time.
Before the bill was brought up for a vote, Sweetwater County Republican Marlene Brady asked who would be responsible for ending a livestock quarantine after anthrax is discovered within an established location. When originally introduced, House Bill 90 set a 6 square mile observation area.
Representative Davis said that an amendment added by the Agriculture Committee reduced the size of the observation area to one and a half square miles. In response to the question about who will lift the quarantine, Davis said the final decision lies with the State Veterinarian.
Albany County Democrat Karlee Provenza said she will be voting no on House Bill 90. Representative Provenza said the State Veterinary Laboratory and the Wyoming Livestock Board already have stronger measures in place should another anthrax outbreak occur, making the bill unnecessary.
After hearing more discussion on the measure, the Wyoming House of Representatives brought House Bill 90 up for a vote. The bill passed with a vote of 43 for and 17 against.
House Bill 90 will now move to the Wyoming Senate for further consideration.
