This Minnesota House bill (H.F. No. 2012), authored by Representative Hansen R., proposes modifications to the Board of Animal Health by amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 35.02, subdivision 1. Key changes in the bill include:

• Expanding the board's membership from seven to eleven members.
• Specifying membership composition:
  • Three members must be livestock producers in the state.
  • Three members must be licensed veterinarians, one of whom specializes in companion animals.
  • One member must be a Tribal representative experienced in animal husbandry.
  • Two at-large members.
  • One additional Tribal representative.
  • Eight regional members, ensuring no two reside in the same congressional district.
• Members must have knowledge in animal agriculture, animal health, or companion animals, with at least two members representing the public who are not employed in agriculture, veterinary medicine, the pet industry, or related fields.
• The governor's appointments should strive for gender and geographic balance.
• The commissioners of agriculture, natural resources, and health, along with the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, shall serve as non-voting consultants to the board.
• The board will elect a president and vice president from among its members.
• The governor will appoint a licensed veterinarian (who is not a board member) as the board's executive director for a one-year term, with the board setting the director's duties.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy for consideration.