BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK 

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 32.2.403 pertaining to diagnostic laboratory fees

) ) )

NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On September 20, 2019, the Department of Livestock published MAR Notice No. 32-18-292 pertaining to the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule at page 1573 of the 2019 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 18.

 

2. The department has amended the above-stated rule as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: Montana FWP finds proposed adjustments to be comparable to pricing for the same or similar tests at other laboratories that offer wildlife testing. The proposed price for immunohistochemistry (IHC), which is currently used as a confirmatory test for any sample that tests positive on the screening ELISA test at an out-of-state laboratory, is priced lower than at the lab currently used. Because MVDL is not currently offering CWD testing, it is unknown if the IHC pricing proposed in this rule will be the same price that will be offered for CWD IHC.

 

RESPONSE #1: The department thanks FWP for their interest in the fees associated with chronic wasting disease testing. It is the intention of the MVDL to charge test fees for chronic wasting disease that are consistent with the fees proposed in ARM 32.2.403 for both the IHC and ELISA test methods when they become available.  

 

COMMENT #2: The Montana Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) expressed its support for the changes called for in the proposed amendments of ARM 32.2.403 pertaining to diagnostic laboratory fees.   

 

RESPONSE #2: The department thanks the Montana Veterinary Medical Association for its support of the proposed amendments to ARM 32.2.403.  

 

            4. This rule amendment will be effective January 6, 2020.

 

 

/s/ Michael S. Honeycutt                                         BY:      /s/ Cinda Young-Eichenfels

Michael S. Honeycutt                                                         Cinda Young-Eichenfels

Executive Officer                                                                Rule Reviewer

Board of Livestock

Department of Livestock

 

Certified to the Secretary of State November 12, 2019.