State & Local Legislation
STATE LEGISLATION
Updated October 2011
CA AB 1117
Existing law provides that the cost of seizing, caring for, and treating any animal seized pursuant to specified provisions regarding the failure to care for animals shall constitute a lien on the animal and that the animal shall not be returned to its owner until the charges are paid. Existing law provides that no animal properly seized pursuant to these provisions shall be returned to its owner until, in the determination of the seizing agency or hearing officer, the animal is physically fit, or the owner can demonstrate that the owner can and will provide the necessary care.
This bill would additionally apply these provisions to animals seized pursuant to a search warrant.
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IA HF 431
Would make it illegal to tamper, interfere or commit fraud against an animal facility or crop operation.
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MA SB 655
Would ban the processing of horses for human consumption.
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MA S 786
Would prohibit the confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is guilty of unlawful confinement of a covered farm animal if the person tethers or confines any covered animal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from: (1) Lying down, standing up, and fully extending his or her limbs; and (2) Turning around freely. Offers many exceptions including veterinary care, rodeos, 4-H and livestock shows and slaughter.
Status: Referred to joint committee on Judiciary
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NE LB 305
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a state meat and poultry inspection agency to inspect meat and meat products for human consumption in compliance with federal regulations by January 1, 2013. LB305 authorizes the Department of Agriculture to hire a program administrator. The program will initially be funded by $200,000 from the Commercial Feed Administration Cash Fund and thereafter by use fees for the inspection services provided. The Cooperative State Meat and Poultry Inspection Cash Fund is created, to which these funds will be credited.
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NE LB 306
This bill requires certain entities to accept and care for any horse that is presented to it by an individual or law enforcement agency or be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor.
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NE LB 486
Specifies that political subdivisions, through ordinance, regulation, rule, policy, guideline, or proclamation shall not change the legal status of an animal except to state that an individual may own an animal. This is an important bill as many animal rights groups want to change the legal status of animals making use "guardians" not "owners." This would essentially be giving animals "rights" traditionally reserved for humans.
Status: Hearing held in Ag Committee on March 1, 2011
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NH HB 325
AN ACT relative to the purchase of ill animals from licensed animal vendors and inspections of animal vendor premises by the state veterinarian.
Status: To House Environment and Ag Committee
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NV SB 364
Would prohibiting a person from engaging in horse tripping for enjoyment, entertainment, competition or practice; prohibiting a person from knowingly organizing, sponsoring, promoting, overseeing or receiving admission money for a horse tripping event.
Status: Died in committee
OR SB 262
Replaces brand inspection for equines with equine ownership certificate, requires an owner to obtain equine ownership certificate for equine that is present in state for more than 30 consecutive days, establishes requirements for recording transfer of ownership of equine. Requires providing equine with food, water and opportunity to rest after each eight hours of transport time, establishes duties of livestock carrier transporting equines. Establishes prohibitions for livestock carrier transporting equines, requires that equine ownership certificate or equivalent document issued by another state accompany equine transported by livestock carrier. Establishes equine trader permit system, requires State Department of Agriculture to establish registry of equine rescue facilities. Identifies certain failures to disclose or misleading or deceptive statements by persons not registered as equine rescue facility to be unfair trade practice, establishes requirements for livestock auction market sale of equines.
Status: No hearing scheduled for this bill
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OR SB 613
A person commits the offense of equine tripping if the person intentionally causes an equine to trip or fall, or intentionally ropes or lassos the legs of an equine, for purposes of a rodeo, contest, exhibition, entertainment or sport or as practice for a rodeo, contest, exhibition, entertainment or sport.
Status: Hearing in Committee cancelled
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WV SB 540
Stated Purpose: Recently there have been a number of well publicized cases of equine abuse where significant numbers of horses have died of starvation or were severely malnourished. There is a need for licensing and inspection of equine facilities to ensure the safety and welfare of equines and to enable county humane officers or animal control officers to identify equine abuse at an early stage where those animals can be saved and spared needless suffering.
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