ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNSEL 

 John J. McColgan, Counsel 



There were several bills filed in the Legislature in 1981 affecting the 

 agricultural industry as well as the Department. 



Chapter 59 . An Act relative to brucellosis in bovine animals. April 3rd, 

 with emergency preamble. 



This bill authorizes the Director of Animal Health to prohibit the impor- 

 tation of female cattle over five months of age and for breeding purposes, 

 without an official certification of vaccination. 



Chapter 257 . An Act further regulating the employment of minors. June 18th, 



This Act authorizes the employment of minors 16 years of age or older, 

 provided that such minors are enrolled in a course of study and training in a 

 cooperative vocational training program, including cooperative agricultural 

 programs. 



Chapter 302 . An Act relative to mosquito control by cities and towns in 

 mosquito control districts, July 2nd. 



Clause 36C of said Section 5 was inserted into the law and provides that 

 a city or town within a mosquito control district mav appropriate further 

 money for the abatement of mosquitos, but that the program shall be under 

 the supervision and control of the mosquito control project of which such city 

 or town is a member. 



Chapter 351 . Budget of the Commonwealth FY 1982, July 21. 



Most of the amendments affecting agriculture in calendar year 1981 will 

 be found in the outside sections of the Appropriations Act. 



Chapter 351 had a record breaking 295 outside sections. Most of them 

 created new laws. The General Court has since banned the practice of creating 

 new laws in any future Appropriations Act. 



Section 254 of this Act, through Section 269, reorganizes the Department. 

 Section 254 sets up new Divisions and Bureaus within the Department by amending 

 Section 6 of Chapter 128. 



The other sections, 255 through 269, change the wording in the various 

 laws so as to conform with the amendment to Section 6. 



There are errors and omissions which we are trying to rectify. 



Chapter 363 . An Act authorizing the town of Monterey to withdraw from 

 the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project. 



Chapter 554 . An Act authorizing the Hampshire, Franklin, Hampden Agri- 

 cultural Society to hold a ten day horse racing meeting. 



Chapter 558. An Act further regulating racing days in the Commonwealth. 

 Approved Nov. 18. Effective Nov. 19. 



51 



