2014/2015 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

BILLS THAT PASSED THE GA LEGISLATURE IN 2015

 

SB 72: PASSED ~ “Tanya’s Law” Increased Penalties for Harming a Police Dog 

 

HB 160: PASSED ~ Repeal Raccoon Trapping Prohibition
Very harmful to household Pets! Game, Fish & Parks Committee (requested by DNR). This bill expands trapping with steel-jaw leghold, snare, conibear and other traps which not only trap, main and kill wildlife but also dogs/cats/eagles & other “non-target” species.

 

 SB 290: PASSED ~ It will allow the chemical sterilization of animals (right now "zeutering" is available and other methods may be forth coming).This will make a huge difference in neutering dogs and cutting down on pet overpopulation! 

 

HB 863: PASSED ~ It will strengthen the prosecution of starvation and torture.
Even though there was strong opposition in the Senate, it passed by a vote of 29-20.

 

BILLS THAT DID NOT PASS & CAN COME BACK

HB 124: Prohibit Breed Specific Regulations   NO ACTION TAKEN. However, there is much concern that amendments could be added to allow for more tethering, to repeal current tethering laws, and to repeal mandatory spay/neuter ordinances.

 

SB 173: Cost Of Animal Care

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/SB/173 
This is a taxpayer savings bill.
This bill establishes a legal process so that anyone who has had his or her animals lawfully seized due to cruelty may be required to pay for the animals’ care if a court determines the seizure was lawful and the costs requested are reasonable.  It also prevents local and state agencies in Georgia from incurring huge costs in animal cruelty cases, saving tax dollars and animal lives.

 
SB 180: Make Hedge hogs as Pocket Pets Wild Animals; exempt the African pygmy hedgehog from wild animal license and permit requirements 

 
HB 180: Would have put money from specialty tags into the state spay/neuter fund did not pass.  

  

SB 184: Prohibit Breed Specific Regulations   
However, there is much concern that amendments could be added to allow for more tethering, to repeal current tethering laws, and to repeal mandatory spay/neuter ordinances.

 

HB 274: African Pygmy Hedgehogs as Pocket Pets     
In general, exotic (non-native) and wild animals are unsuitable for home rearing and handling. They suffer and die in the pet trade and bring parasites to domestic pets.

 

HB 290: Animal Safety in Trucks

Motor Vehicle Committee.  No movement. 

 

HB 409: a detriment to public safety

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20132014/131470.pdf

It stripped local counties/municipalities of the ability to govern their animal control issues based on community needs.

HB 423: The "raccoon" bill This bill allowed for the capture of raccoons to be used as live bait.  These "trials" create a threat of distemper, a deadly air borne virus, to domestic pets and wild animals. 

 

HB 724: It would have made attending a cockfight a felony and was supported by the GA Sheriffs' Association

However, a new federal bill went through that makes attending any animal fight a federal offense.

 
HB 780: It would have allowed hedgehogs as pets. 

 

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