LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
HB 1498: Repealing dog licensing:
On January 23rd, the House Municipal & County Committee conducted a public hearing on HB 1498. Only the sponsors of HB 1498 testified in favor of the bill. Rep. Cohn, prime sponsor, brought in an amendment that required veterinarians to use a state issued certificate form to be developed and distributed by the Department of Agriculture. As you might expect, this wasn’t received favorably by the Veterinarians Association or the State Veterinarian. The sponsors introduced the bill because after last year’s bill passed exempting municipalities from dog injury or damage liability, they felt there was no need to collect licensure fees to pay for claims. Furthermore, the sponsors heard that dog licensing costs more to administer than the towns collect for it. Nevertheless, the committee members asked a number of questions that indicated they had read the numerous opposition letters sent by our members.
Four members of DOGS testified against the bill including a musher who noted that repealing group licensing would put her at odds with local zoning laws. A representative from the NH Federation of Humane Organizations testified against the bill. The NH Veterinarians Association, the NH Town Clerks Association, the State Veterinarian and the NH Municipal Association spoke against the bill. Ten members of the public, including several members of DOGS, signed in opposing the bill. The committee certainly was provided numerous reasons to recommend killing the bill, but we won’t know for sure until they vote which is expected sometime within the next two weeks.
SB 370: Dog care and breeding requirements
The week, the Senate Executive Departments Committee did not vote a recommendation on SB 370. As reported in a previous “DOGS UPDATE”, an amendment was offered at the hearing that would replace all of the original content of the bill. This amendment would clarify that enforcement of the current laws is the responsibility of law enforcement officials and those designated by the NH Department of Agriculture. DOGS would support this amendment if it totally replaces the original bill, but we would rather have the bill “Inexpedient to Legislate”.
The numerous members of DOGS that wrote letters to the committee and testified at the hearing certainly gave the committee ample reason to kill the bill. Nevertheless, if you have not contacted the members of the committee to urge them to kill the bill, there is still time to do so. If you sent a letter and haven’t heard back from the Senator(s) about how they will vote on the bill, drop them a short note to remind them of your opposition and inquire about how they are going to vote on SB 370 – – and thank them for their attention to your concerns.
Please copy Yvonne on the responses you get from Senators. Contact her at yln @ comcast.net (remove spaces).
Mailing List for Senate Executive Departments & Administration Committee
Senator Sharon Carson, Chairman
Statehouse
Room 107
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-1403
Email Sen. Carson
Senator Fenton Groen, Vice Chairman
Statehouse
Room 107
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2609
Email Sen. Groen
Senator Sylvia Larsen
Statehouse
Room 120
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 217-3207
Email Sen. Larsen
Senator Jim Luther
Statehouse
Room 105-A
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-4151
Email Sen. Luther
Senator Raymond White
Statehouse
Room 107
107 North Main Street
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2609
Email Sen. White
Upcoming Committee Meetings & Public Hearings
HB 1231: Repeals the prohibition on sale of chicks, ducklings, goslings and rabbits under 4 weeks old and in quantities of less than 12 to any individual.
- DOGS Position: Repealing the quantity and age requirements seems reasonable for chicks, ducklings and goslings. Allowing rabbits to be separated from their mother before they are 4 weeks old may not be appropriate due to developmental issues.
- STATUS: House Commerce Committee Subcommittee meeting February 2nd at 2:15pm.
- A copy of this bill can be obtained on-line at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/HB1231.html
HB 1362: Establishing a service animal registration commission
- DOGS Position: monitoring.
- STATUS: Scheduled for public hearing in House Executive Departments Committee on February 9th at 10am.
- A copy of this bill can be obtained on-line at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/HB1362.html
SB 312: Prohibits the cruel confinement of sows and calves raised for veal.
- DOGS Position: Feedback from those who raise livestock indicates that these confinement restrictions are inappropriate.
- STATUS: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing was held on 1/26
- A copy of this bill can be obtained on-line at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/SB0312.html
