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Posted 15 May 2007
View legislative update (PDF)
Our nation's governors have been busy signing into law important pieces of legislation of interest to veterinary medicine:
- Maine approved voluntary humane livestock handling and slaughtering practice guidelines.
- There is a new veterinary loan repayment program in North Dakota open to three veterinarians.
- Washington State has new laws providing for certification of animal massage practitioners and requiring veterinary technician licensure as opposed to registration, while adding a veterinary technician to the veterinary board of governors.
- Colorado legislation was approved for licensed physical therapists to treat animals, with veterinary input. Other enacted legislation allows for animals to be included in domestic orders of protection and authorizes euthanasia of animals if they are severely injured or diseased beyond recovery.
- A working group will be created in Minnesota to study and report to the legislature on long standing issues of standards and qualifications for persons providing equine teeth floating, animal chiropractic, and artificial insemination of animals other than cattle and swine.
- Connecticut and Oregon passed laws requiring emergency plans to include evacuation of pets and service animals. The Oregon bill also includes livestock and an identification system to ensure that owners of companion or service animals can locate and reclaim their animals.
- Arizona became the first state in the nation to prohibit mandatory participation in a National Animal Identification System. Gov. Napolitano also signed legislation providing that engine coolant or antifreeze sold that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol must include a bittering agent.
At this time, 21 state legislatures have adjourned, resulting in several high profile bills left for dead, at least for now. These include a horse slaughter bill in Kentucky, a prohibition on pig confinement in Maryland, and restrictions on caged egg production in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington. The Arkansas legislature adjourned without taking final action on legislation providing veterinarians a lien for unpaid fees.
In the latest twist in the horse slaughter litigation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit decided 2-1 on May 1 to allow the last operating horse slaughterhouse in the country, in DeKalb, Ill., to temporarily resume operations. The court granted the slaughterhouse's emergency request for a stay as it considers an appeal of a March lower court ruling that halted federal inspection of the horses, thus shutting down the business and effectively establishing a nationwide ban of horse slaughter for human consumption.
In the "strange news of the month," Floridians who want to be buried with their dog, cat, parrot or other pet would be allowed to do so under a bill passed by the state legislature and sent to Gov. Charlie Crist. The burial provision was included in a cemetery regulation bill by a state senator who wants the ashes of his beloved black Labrador retriever to join him in his grave.
Elsewhere, a large dog caused quite a scene at the Alaska Capitol by leaving a sizable deposit in front of an elevator, leading a legislative committee to ban dogs from the building. The city of Juneau has an impressive dog population of one dog for every four human residents.
The following link takes you to the latest chart of significant pending bills and regulations from around the country. Thank you for keeping AVMA informed about developments in your state, and please contact us if we can assist you with your advocacy efforts.
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