Wednesday, 4/29/10 –
The House Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled HB 1639 for a committee vote on February 9th or 11th. This clearly indicates that there will not be a subcommittee convened to discuss the bill further. HB1639 adds a new section to the animal cruelty laws that sets specific requirements for dog tethering. It also amends RSA 644:8, IV-a(a), the animal cruelty statute, to allow an animal, suspected of being abused or neglected, to be taken into custody without a warrant.
If you have not already sent a note to the members of the House Criminal Justice Committee, there are still a few days to remind them of the problems inherent in the bill and why it should be recommended “Inexpedient to Legislate” (Killed). It is also a good time to start contacting your local representative to inform them about the bill and the need to for it to be voted “Inexpedient to Legislate”. Your local legislator and their contact information can be found here.
HB 1624: Breeder restrictions. On February 10th, the House will vote on the committee recommendation of “Inexpedient to Legislate”. Representative Groen stated in his report in the House Record describing why the committee voted 12-1 for this recommendation, “This bill will place undue restrictions on breeders and dog owners alike. The rules that would be applied are very generic and not breed specific, thus, dog owners could be charged with cruelty to their pets. Cruelty laws are already in existence in RSA 644:8, making this legislation unnecessary. Local animal control and law enforcement have the authority to remedy any abuses that may arise.” It is unlikely that the committee recommendation will be overturned during the House floor vote and DOGS appreciates those who contacted their local representatives to help insure that the bill will be killed.
This past week, two bills that would restrict the rights of dog breeders and animal owners had legislative public hearings. Many thanks to all who prepared and presented testimony and signed in opposed as well as those who sent letters. No matter what the outcome of the bill, we can be very proud of our articulate messages, engaging presentations and knowledgeable demeanor. Feedback indicates that the legislators were impressed and became more informed.
Those who testified are encouraged to send a note to the committee members thanking them for listening to your concerns and offering to provide any further information to address any concerns or questions.
Supporters of the bills are reaching out work on amendments. HB 1639 and HB 1624 NEED TO BE KILLED – amendments to make the bills “better” are not an option as the bills are totally flawed, unjustified and lack funding for enforcement. If the bills were to be passed with exceptions for certain breeds or activities, the supporters would only return to the legislature in the future to remove the exceptions.
At this time neither bill has been scheduled for a subcommittee meeting by the respective committees. The House Environment & Agriculture Committee may vote on the bill during their executive session on January 28th. Stay tuned for more updates.
Your local legislator and their contact information can be found at here.
HB 1639 adds a new section to the animal cruelty laws that sets specific requirements for dog tethering. It also amends RSA 644:8, IV-a(a), the animal cruelty statute, to allow an animal, suspected of being abused or neglected, to be taken into custody without a warrant.
House Criminal Justice Committee Members.
HB 1624 is proposed as a bill to stop “puppy mills” but it will impose unnecessary and onerous requirements on responsible dog owners and breeders. Education about and enforcement of the current laws, such as the requirement of a health certificate and the veterinary medical practice act, would be more effective than HB 1624 . The Dept. of Agriculture rules (AGR 1702) referenced in the bill can be found at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/agr1700.html
House Environment and Agriculture Committee Members
HB 1624 is proposed as a bill to stop “puppy mills” but it will impose unnecessary and onerous requirements on responsible dog breeders.
If you have not sent a letter out to the members of the House Environment & Agriculture Committee in opposition to HB 1624 – Please do so immediately – and make sure to personalize it (begin with a different sentence than the draft provided in our previous email alert. For example: I am writing to ask, please pay attention to HB 1624, etc). Ask others in your network of contacts to send a letter and to fashion in their own words using any of our talking points that pertain to them.
NEXT STEP: Please plan to attend the public hearing (see time and location below). You can sign in opposed to speak or not to speak. If speaking, please contact Yvonne Nanasi, DOGS Legislative Consultant for assistance with your statement and advice about testifying at public hearings.
LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED:
House Environment & Agriculture Committee
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 1PM in Room 308
of the Legislative Office Bldg. in Concord
HB 1639: adds tethering of dogs for extended periods of time to the definition of criminal animal cruelty. More to come on the analysis of this bill next week.
HB 1417: allowing companion dogs in certain areas of restaurants.
HB 1525: relative to physical therapists practicing on animals.
HB 1562: Renames service dogs as assistance dogs, Provides an option for assistance dogs wear an identifying tag, Allows the advisory council on emergency preparedness to use New Hampshire assistance dog identification tag registration information to prepare for emergencies. The bill as introduced was requested for amendment by the sponsor to make the tag optional. . The NH Dept. of Emergency Preparedness, the NH Municipal Assn. and the NH Town Clerks’ Assn. have concerns with the bill. DOGS provided information to the sponsor and the Health & Human Services Committee at the public hearing that the bill has serious conflicts with the Federal Disabilities law that need to be resolved even if the tab is optional. The sponsor and committee members were very appreciative of DOGS’s input.
Eliminating Plan A from the spay/neuter program
SB 137 had previously been the bill to create an animal friendly license plate to help fund the state’s spay/neuter program. Senator Roberge recognized that the license plate initiative needed more work and amended the bill on the floor of the senate to delete the license plate initiative. Now, the new SB 137 eliminates Plan A from the state spay/neuter program thereby providing additional funding for Plan B. Plan A allows the animal shelters to provide a voucher to reduce the cost of spaying/neutering a dog/cat that is adopted at a shelter. There are no income criteria for being able to qualify for a Plan A voucher. SB 137 retains Plan B that provides dog or cat spay/neutering for a nominal co-pay for persons that participate in certain low-income programs. STATUS: The House voted to pass the bill as amended by the Senate. The bill is awaiting approval by the Governor (it may take about 2 weeks to get to his desk for consideration). Read more…
THURSDAY, May 14, 2009
8:45am HB 247 – relative to the investigation of animal abuse complaints. Senate Public Affairs Committee public hearing in room 103 of the Legislative Office Bldg. DOGS supports the bill that was requested by the State Veterinarian.
Eliminating Plan A from the spay/neuter program
SB 137 had previously been the bill to create an animal friendly license plate to help fund the state’s spay/neuter program. Senator Roberge recognized that the license plate initiative needed more work and amended the bill on the floor of the senate to delete the license plate initiative. Now, the new SB 137 eliminates Plan A from the state spay/neuter program thereby providing additional funding for Plan B. Plan A allows the animal shelters to provide a voucher to reduce the cost of spaying/neutering a dog/cat that is adopted at a shelter. There are no income criteria for being able to qualify for a Plan A voucher. SB 137 retains Plan B that provides dog or cat spay/neutering for a nominal co-pay for persons that participate in certain low-income programs.
STATUS: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted 10-1 to recommend the bill for passage. A House vote is scheduled for May 6th.
Initiative to Merge Certain State Agencies
SB132 establishes a commission to develop implementation plans for merging the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety.
A copy of the bill is available at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/SB0132.html
STATUS: House Executive Departments and Administration Committee Subcommittee voted to recommend the bill be “Inexpedient to Legislate” (killed). A full committee vote is scheduled for 9:45am on May 5th in room 306.
AP is reporting that the House Environment and Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of the bill making the Chinook the state dog of New Hampshire. Next step is a vote of the full House.
4/28 -
The N.H. House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold an executive session on SB137 – relative to animal population control. When: 10 a.m. Where: Room 308, Legislative Office Building, Concord
The N.H. House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hold an executive session on SB13 – declaring the chinook the state dog of New Hampshire. When: 10 a.m. Where: Room 308, Legislative Office Building, Concord
The N.H. Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a hearing on HB 345 – allowing physical therapists to practice on animals. When: 3:20 p.m. Where: Room 101, Legislative Office Building, Concord
4/29 – Purge the Merge!
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold a subcommittee work session on SB132 - relative to merging the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety. When: 9 a.m. Where: Room 305, Legislative Office Building, Concord
4/30 -
The House Executive Departments and Administration Committee will hold an executive session on SB156 – relative to the commission to study the creation of an animal care worker classification. When: 10:15 a.m. Where: Room 306 , Legislative Office Building, Concord
The N.H. House Resources Committee will hold a hearing on SB 203 – relative to liability protection for railroad operators operating alongside recreational trails. When: 2:30 p.m. Where: Room 305, Legislative Office Building, Concord
SB132 establishes a commission to develop implementation plans for merging the department of cultural resources, the department of agriculture, markets and food, the department of fish and game, the division of parks and recreation, and the division of forests and lands into a newly established department of natural and cultural resources; and transfers all law enforcement functions of those departments to the department of safety.
The public hearing is scheduled in House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on April 23rd at 11:00am in room 306 of the Legislative Office Bldg.
This change will affect farmers, discourage growing a safe, local food supply, and anyone who is currently regulated by the Agriculture Department including dog, cat and horse owners will be impacted.
Please contact the members of the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee and ask them to Oppose SB132.
Contact information for members of this committee.
Some talking points to include in your request for them to oppose the bill:
SB 203: Provides liability immunity for railroads who own, lease occupy or maintain a right of way for designated recreational use.
STATUS: Passed the Senate with amendment. Public hearing scheduled in House Resources Committee on April 30th at 2:30pm in room 305 of the Legislative Office Bldg.
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