Tennessee Equine Health Advisory Commission

The Tennessee Equine Health Advisory Commission was established by legislative action in 2020 and is charged with studying the status of equine health and emerging equine health issues.

The nine members of the commission work together to promote horse health and to encourage sound agricultural practices with equine activities and the breeding of equine livestock.

43-13-106. (a) The commission shall study the state of equine health in this state, emerging equine health issues that may impact the equine industry in this state, and other equine health and equine industry issues the commission deems relevant, and shall make regulatory and legislative recommendations to the department and the general assembly. (b) On or before February 1, 2021, and not later than each February 1 thereafter, the commission shall develop and submit an annual report to the governor, the commissioner of agriculture, the chair of the energy, agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate, and the agriculture and natural resources committee of the house of representatives. The report must describe the status of equine health in this state, make any recommendations for rulemaking to the department that the commission considers appropriate, and make any legislative recommendations to the general assembly that the commission considers appropriate.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 43-13-101 – The purpose and intent of the commission.

In the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, it is the purpose and intent of this chapter to authorize the commission to study and make recommendations on issues related to equine health in this state to:

(1) Promote the health of horses in this state; and

(2) Encourage agriculture and the breeding of equine livestock in this state.

 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 43-13-103 - The Tennessee equine health advisory commission consists of nine (9) members as follows:

(1) The commissioner of agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio voting member;

(2) One (1) member appointed by the governor who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine.

(3) One (1) public member appointed by the speaker of the senate;

(4) One (1) public member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(5) Five (5) public members appointed by the governor

 

Dr. Samantha Beaty – State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner for Animal Health, Commissioner of Agriculture designee

Monty McInturff – Tennessee Equine Hospital owner and practice manager, Governor appointed

Kelly Burchett – horse owner, Speaker of Senate appointed

Matthew Smith – horse owner, Speaker of House appointed

David Terrell – carded horse show judge for numerous associations, Governor appointed

Melanie Smith Taylor – equine clinician, television broadcaster for major events, and judge for hunter/jumpers and hunter seat equitation, Governor appointed

Dr. Steve Adair – UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Science associate professor, Governor appointed

Matt Horsman – Williamson County Extension Director, Governor appointed