Agriculture, Dept. of - As enacted, restricts the authority of the commissioner to order tests or vaccinations of animals within the state or that are imported into the state to those for purposes of detecting or treating a notifiable disease or monitored disease, rather than for purposes of protecting the health of animals in Tennessee generally; allows the commissioner to recommend tests or vaccinations of animals within the state or that are imported into the state for purposes of protecting the health of animals. - Amends TCA Title 44.

HB 2517 restricts Tennessee's animal health commissioner from mandating tests or vaccinations for animals within the state or imported into the state, except for detecting or treating USDA-listed "notifiable" or "monitored" diseases. The bill defines "notifiable disease" as USDA-emergency or regulated diseases and "monitored disease" as USDA-endemic diseases, narrowing the commissioner's mandatory authority to these specific cases. However, it allows the commissioner to *recommend* tests or vaccinations for general animal health protection, maintaining flexibility for broader health guidance without enforcement power. This change directly affects how Tennessee enforces animal health regulations under Title 44 of the Tennessee Code.