2016 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
SB 168: Adoptable Dog as our official State Dog - PASSED
Hitchhiked on another code bill (SB 168) after stalling in Senate.
AJC article on the Adoptable Dog
LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODE:
O.C.G.A 50-3-88. Definitions; adoptable dog designated as the official state dog
SB 356: Cost Of Animal Care ~ PASSED
LINKS TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODES:
O.C.G.A. 4-11-9.2. Inspections; impoundment of animals; exceptions
O.C.G.A. 4-11-9.3. Caring for an impounded animal
O.C.G.A. 4-11 -9.5 Failure to respond; right ot hearing; care; crime exception
O.C.G.A. 4-11-9.6. Disposal of impounded animal
O.C.G.A. 4-11-9.8. Recoupment of expenses of impoundment; process
O.C.G.A. 4-13-5. Duty to care for impounded equines; lein; return to owner
HB 727: Senate agreed to amendment on Fireworks Bill - AMENDED
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20152016/HB/727
Some local control restored. Improvement on 2015 laws
LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODE:
HB 727 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.G.C.A)
HB 736: (New) Spay Neuter Tag - PASSED
Combined into bill with another tag. This new process will generate much more money per tag for S/N grants than other available tags.
LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODE:
HB 736 - Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.G.C.A)
SB 184: BAD BILL (still known as BSL bill) ~ PASSED
Passed by substitute, but with only one bad amendment: AKC registered hunting dogs receive the same license discount as altered dogs. BSL was completely removed in the substitute.
LINK TO OFFICIAL GEORGIA CODE:
O.C.G.A. 4-8-1.2. Classification of certain dogs as hunting dogs.
UPDATE ON SB 184:
* SB 184 was originally written as a Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) bill, meaning that specific breeds - like pit bulls - cannot be targeted for legislation, and it passed the Senate. Before arriving at the House committee the language of the bill was totally hanged. All BSL language was removed and the substitution gave special benefits to hunting dogs and American Kennel Club (breeder) dogs. The public was not allowed to comment. SB 184 sets a dangerous precedent where the State can dictate local laws for pets, potentially stopping local ordinances like mandatory spay/neuter or anti chaining.
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