Authority over farmed white-tailed deer reinstatement to the Board of Animal Health

This bill reinstates the Board of Animal Health as the primary regulator for farmed white-tailed deer in Minnesota, reversing prior authority held by the Commissioner of Natural Resources. It requires deer farmers to maintain 96-inch-high, high-tensile fencing with redundant gates, undergo regular inspections, and correct violations within 14 days (or face facility registration revocation). The Board now enforces rules for fencing, escape prevention, and chronic wasting disease testing, while farmers remain liable for escape-related costs and disease management. This directly affects deer farmers and state agencies responsible for animal health oversight.