NEW DEVELOPMENTS
During the Senate Session on March 25th, Senator Roberge removed SB 137 from the table and offered a floor amendment. The amendment removed the “pet friendly license plate” language from the bill and replaced it with language that deletes Plan A from the state spay/neuter program. Plan A provided subsidies for animals that had been adopted from shelters to be spay/neutered. Senator Roberge put forth the amendment because she felt that during this economic downturn the need for low income families to have more access to the fund is very important. She noted that this change will provide for about 800 more animals to be served under Plan B for low income individuals. The new version of SB 137 is very similar to HB 1293 proposed by Representative Phinizy, in 2008, that was killed in the Senate.
DOGS supported HB 1293 and will support this revision of SB 137. A public hearing in the House will be scheduled shortly.
SB 137: Amended in the Senate from Establishing a “pet friendly” license plate (the license plate language was removed) and changed to a bill that deletes the eligibility of a state resident who has adopted a dog or cat from an animal shelter to participate in the animal population control (spay/neuter) program. Status: Passed Senate with an amendment that changes the subject of the bill.
DOGS Position: Support the bill as amended.
Upcoming Legislative Meetings and Voting Sessions
March 31, 2009
1:15 p.m HB345: Allowing physical therapists to practice on animals. Full committee work session, House Executive Departments Committee
2:25pm HB 148 Public Hearing in Senate Wildlife Committee
April 2, 2009
1:00pm SB 19 Public Hearing in House Judiciary Committee
STATUS OF OTHER LEGISLATION
Bill that are still Active
HB 148: Relative to health certificates as evidence of the transfer of dog, cat or ferret. Requiring an annual vet statement for exemption from rabies vaccination. Status: Passed House with amendment. Senate Wildlife Committee public hearing on 3/31 at 2:25pm.
DOGS Concerns: The definition of “transfer” needs to be refined in the Senate.
HB 247: Changes the law pertaining to complaints filed due to the abuse of domestic animals. Instead of the state veterinarian being the first contact, the complaint shall be initially filed with the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, with jurisdiction over where the animal is kept. At the request of the contacted law enforcement agency, the state veterinarian shall assist in a secondary capacity in enforcing the provisions of law and investigating said complaints. Status: Passed by the House on March 24
HB345: Allowing physical therapists to practice on animals. Status: House Executive Departments Committee, full committee work session, March 31, 1:15 p.m., Room 306 Legislative Office Building
SB 13: Declaring the Chinook the state dog. Status: Passed Senate. Awaiting public hearing in House Environment & Agriculture Committee.
SB 137: New title: Deleting Plan A from the state spay/neuter program. Status: Passed Senate with new title and amendment. Awaits House public hearing.
SB 19: Relative to governmental immunity from liability lawsuits for municipal dog parks. Status: Passed Senate. Public hearing scheduled in House Judiciary Committee on April 2nd at 1pm.
SB 156: Relative to the commission to study the creation of an animal care worker classification. Status: Recommended for passage by Senate Executive Depts. Committee.
Bills Retained in Committee for Study and Action in 2010
HB 630: Prohibits live greyhound racing in NH. House Local & Regulated Revenues Committee
HB 431: Requiring certain engine coolants to include an aversive agent. House Commerce Committee.
Defeated Bills (Killed)
HB220: Adding a civil forfeiture process to the animal cruelty violations.
HB 278: Increases the penalty from a class A misdemeanor to a class B felony for cruelty to service animals.
HB 337: Requiring temporary vendor permits for certain animal sellers.
HB 427: Requiring licenses for horses.
HB 559: Requiring Fish & Game Advisory Council to have an animal rights’ representative.
HB 59: Requiring employers of employees with service dogs to signs prohibiting other dogs into the establishment.
HB 653: Relative to definition and functions of service animals.
SB 140: Allowing chiropractors to practice on animals.
