NOTE:  This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor.  To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
      history, or the Session Laws.
      
      
      SENATE BILL 08-201
      
      
      BY SENATOR(S) Isgar, Gibbs, Schwartz, and Windels;
      also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Curry, Green, Scanlan, Stafford, and Todd.
      
      
      Concerning requirements for confinement of specified livestock.
      
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration.  (1)  The general assembly
      hereby finds, determines, and declares that certain livestock confinement
      practices should be addressed.  As required by article 50.5 of title 35,
      Colorado Revised Statutes, calves raised for veal and gestating sows should
      be kept in a way that allows such animals to freely stand up, lie down, and
      turn around without touching the sides of their enclosure.
      
           (2)  The general assembly further finds, determines, and declares that
      the commissioner of agriculture is encouraged to establish a process to
      consider questions arising in the future about livestock husbandry and
      humane livestock production practices.
      
           SECTION 2.  Title 35, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY
      THE ADDITION OF A NEW ARTICLE to read:
      
      
                           ARTICLE 50.5
                 Confinement of Calves Raised for
                      Veal and Pregnant Sows
      
           35-50.5-101.  Definitions.  As used in this article, unless the
      context otherwise requires:
      
           (1)  "Calf raised for veal" means a member of the bovine
      species kept for the purpose of producing the food product known
      as veal.
      
           (2)  "Farrowing" means the process of a gestating sow giving
      birth to offspring.
      
           (3)  "Farrowing unit" means a structure in which a single
      gestating sow is kept immediately prior to and during farrowing
      for the purposes of providing care to the sow and the sow's
      offspring.
      
           (4)  "Gestating sow" means a confirmed pregnant member of
      the porcine species.
      
           (5)  "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in section
      2-4-401, C.R.S.
      
           35-50.5-102.  Confinement of calves raised for veal and pregnant
      sows - exceptions - penalty.  (1)  No person shall confine a calf
      raised for veal or gestating sow in any manner other than the
      following:
      
           (a)  A calf raised for veal shall be kept in a manner that
      allows the calf to stand up, lie down, and turn around without
      touching the sides of its enclosure.
      
           (b)  A gestating sow shall be kept in a manner that allows
      the sow to stand up, lie down, and turn around without touching
      the sides of its enclosure until no earlier than twelve days prior
      to the expected date of farrowing.  At that time, a gestating sow
      may be kept in a farrowing unit.
      
           (2)  This section shall not apply during the following:
      
           (a)  Periods of scientific or agricultural research;
      
           (b)  Examination, testing, or individual veterinary
      treatment;
      
           (c)  Transportation;
      
           (d)  Exhibitions at rodeos, fairs, or youth programs; or
      
           (e)  Slaughter pursuant to article 33 of this title and rules
      adopted pursuant to article 33 of this title.
      
           (3)  A person who violates any provision of this section
      commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided
      in section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.
      
           35-50.5-103.  Applicability.  (1)  This article shall apply to:
      
           (a)  Calves raised for veal, on and after January 1, 2012; and
      
           (b)  Gestating sows, on and after January 1, 2018.
      
           SECTION 3.  Safety clause.  The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Peter C. Groff                        Andrew Romanoff
      PRESIDENT OF                     SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Karen Goldman                          Marilyn Eddins
      SECRETARY OF                 CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    Bill Ritter, Jr.
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO