Bills › 88th General Assembly
Relating to animals owned by certain enterprises, including by providing for procedures for the inspection of premises, the removal of animals, the care of animals in custody, and the disposition of animals by court order, and providing penalties
Topics:Courts & civil law
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 10, 2020
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2020
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2020 session adjourned on June 14, 2020, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary New rules would outline how law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture can enter business properties to investigate animal mistreatment. These rules also explain how animals can be removed, cared for, and handled by a court during an investigation. Additionally, the law would make it a crime to file a false complaint that leads to an animal being removed from a business.1
Read the official explanation
This bill amends Code chapter 717A which relates to offenses involving agricultural production facilities. It also amends Code chapter 162 providing for the care of animals in commercial establishments; Code chapter 717 which provides for the rescue, custodial care, and disposition of neglected or abused livestock; and Code chapter 717B which provides for the rescue, custodial care, and disposition of animals other than livestock subject to neglect, abuse, or torture., corporation or limited liability company) in order to conduct an investigation regarding the mistreatment of an animal. It also provides procedures relating to the conduct of the inspection, the removal of animals from the premises, the care of the animals in custody, and the disposition of the animals by court order. The bill creates a criminal offense of false investigation. A person who makes a complaint that results in the removal of an animal from an enterprise for any period is subject to a fine, if the animal is returned to the enterprise and no criminal charge is filed, the charge is dismissed, any person charged is acquitted, or any person who is convicted has their conviction reversed. A person who commits the offense is guilty of a simple misdemeanor which is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $5,000.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 11, 2020. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part