SF4973

Purpose

This bill would allow commercial feed licensees in Minnesota to hire a licensed veterinarian to provide veterinary services to the licensee’s customers. It clarifies that the employer does not need to organize under the Minnesota Professional Firms Act (Chapter 319B) and references licensing rules in section 156.11.

Main Provisions

• Adds a new subdivision (Subdivision 5) to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 25.341.
• A person who must obtain a commercial feed license may employ a person licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Minnesota.
• The employer is not required to organize pursuant to the Minnesota Professional Firms Act (Chapter 319B).
• A veterinarian employed under this subdivision may practice veterinary medicine or provide veterinary services to the commercial feed licensee’s customers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates an explicit allowance for commercial feed licensees to directly employ licensed veterinarians.
• Removes the requirement for these employers to organize under the Minnesota Professional Firms Act for this arrangement.
• Maintains that the employed veterinarian must be a licensed practitioner in the state, subject to existing veterinary licensing rules (e.g., section 156.11).

Practical Effects

• Commercial feed businesses can hire veterinarians to service their customers more directly, potentially improving animal health oversight and access to veterinary services within feed-related operations.
• Administrative and organizational requirements under the Professional Firms Act for these specific hires are removed.

Terminology and Key Concepts (embedded terms)

• commercial feed licensees
• licensed veterinarian (licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Minnesota)
• practice veterinary medicine
• veterinary services
• Minnesota Professional Firms Act
• Chapter 319B
• section 156.11

Relevant Terms - commercial feed license - licensed veterinarian - veterinary medicine - veterinary services - Professional Firms Act - Chapter 319B - section 156.11