ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNSEL 

 John J. McColgan, Counsel 



There were eight Departmental bills filed for the calendar 

 year 1980. 



The Farm Bureau filed some thirty bills and in addition, 

 Representatives and Senators have filed others, all affecting 

 agriculture. 



In fiscal '79, unlike previous years, our legislative 

 production was rather low; however, we did manage to get a few 

 bills through that were of benefit to some of the Divisions within 

 the Department. 



Chapter 359. An Act relative to the tax on farm animals. 

 (Approved July 8, 1978) 



This Act provides that the exemption from tax, if the amount 

 of tax due is less than ten dollars, shall apply to taxable years 

 commencing on July 1, 1978 and thereafter. 



Chapter 382. An Act relative to the payments of interest on 

 suspended special assessments or betterment assessments on land 

 in agriculture or horticulture use. (Approved July 12, 1978) 



This Act suspended the payment of any special assessment 

 or betterment assessment and interest thereon as long as the 

 land remains in agricultural or horticultural use. 



Chapter 433. An Axt clarifying the provisions of Massachusetts 

 Agriculture Preservation Act. (Approved July 13, 1978) 



This legislation provides that under certain circumstances 

 cities and towns may hold title to Agriculture Preservation 

 Restrictions jointly with the Commonwealth. 



Chapter 485. An Act relative to the control and eradication of 

 Brucellosis in bovine animals. (Approved July 18, 1978) 



This legislation provides that the Division of Animal Health 

 shall cause all female calves to be used for breeding, to be vacci- 

 nated against Brucellosis when they are from the ages of two to 

 six months, inclusive. 



Chapter 494. An Act further regulating the conduct of horses and 

 dog racing. (Approved July 19, 1978) 



This legislation rewrote the horse and dog laws. It affects 

 the Agriculture Fairs that are conducted at commercial race tracks. 

 All the races may be used for commercial purposes, if the owner 

 so desires. 



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