SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1998 SESSION

980390132
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 211
Offered January 26, 1998
Requesting the House Committee on Agriculture to study the establishment of a poultry indemnity fund.
----------
Patron-- Bloxom
----------
Referred to Committee on Agriculture
----------

WHEREAS, avian influenza has the ability to devastate the Delmarva peninsula's poultry industry; and

WHEREAS, with the ongoing threat for avian influenza, a rapid plan of action becomes more important every day; and

WHEREAS, poultry personnel throughout the United States are taking action to prevent introduction of the disease into their flocks and to deal with the disease should it appear; and

WHEREAS, for many years, the states of Maryland and Delaware have had the authority to order poultry and livestock destroyed to stop the spread of disease and were required to indemnify the owners of the birds or livestock; and

WHEREAS, new agreements in Maryland and Delaware between the states and the industry allow a quick and decisive response should a poultry disease such as avian influenza reach the Delmarva peninsula's poultry industry; and

WHEREAS, such agreements provide the following indemnification scheme: each of the six poultry companies located on the Delmarva peninsula is responsible for a yearly maximum of $100,000, a fund of $2.5 million created by the six companies is available, and each state will also contribute up to five million dollars; and

WHEREAS, creation of a poultry indemnity fund requires careful consideration of administrative, fiscal, and policy issues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the House Committee on Agriculture be requested to study the establishment of a poultry indemnity fund.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Committee, upon request.

The House Committee on Agriculture shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.