The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to increase the maximum administrative penalty the Animal Health Commission may impose for the violation of certain rules or orders from $1,000 to $5,000.
Based on the information provided by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, increasing the maximum penalty may increase revenue to the General Revenue Fund, but the revenue implications associated with implementing the provisions of the bill cannot be determined because the number of penalties that would be set by the Animal Health Commission and the varying amounts that would be assessed up to the new statutory maximum is unknown.
Based on information provided by the Animal Health Commission, it is assumed that duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished utilizing existing resources.
The provisions of the bill would only apply to violations committed after the effective date of the bill, or September 1, 2021.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.