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June 10, 2009
View legislative update (PDF)
A number of significant pieces of legislation have been signed into law in the last four weeks:
- With the adoption of a revised rabies vaccination law, Alabama eliminated the requirement for annual rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats. Now vaccinations are required at three months of age and subsequently in accordance with the intervals specified in the vaccine's license. The state is believed to be the last one to require the rabies vaccination on an annual basis.
- Colorado adopted a process to license animal chiropractors who must receive veterinary medical clearance by a licensed veterinarian.
- Illinois established a task force to recommend ways to strengthen state laws regulating dog breeders and pet stores.
- Iowa clarified that veterinarians are generally exempt from animal disposal plant licensing requirements. The governor signed into a law a consumer fraud statute that exempts veterinarians from being sued under its provisions.
- Kansas added penalties for unlawful possession of dog fighting and cockfighting paraphernalia, and for unlawful attendance of dog fighting and cockfighting.
- Missouri legislators adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to strongly support the continuation of horse processing in the United States and to offer incentives that help create horse processing plants throughout the country, such as state-inspected horse harvest for export.
- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman signed several animal-related measures into law, including revisions to the state's commercial dog breeder law and an exemption from sales tax for animal grooming performed by a veterinarian. In addition, Nebraska now requires a veterinarian or veterinary technician to report suspected animal abandonment, cruelty or neglect, with limited immunity for such reporting. New laws also set civil penalties for engaging in the unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine and provide licensure requirements for animal therapists who perform therapy on animals with a letter of referral from the treating veterinarian.
- Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons signed a bill strengthening the laws related to dog and other animal fighting.
- Oklahoma approved a bill requiring licensure for wholesalers or distributors who ship veterinary prescription drugs directly to the pet owner. Legislation promoted primarily by horse teeth floaters returns to a misdemeanor the penalty for practicing or attempting to practice veterinary medicine without a current license.
- Tennessee passed a law that prohibits local governments from restricting the authorized practice of veterinary medicine, including the regulation of any act or procedure utilized within the practice of veterinary medicine.
- Texas passed a law to provide loan repayment assistance to veterinarians who agree to practice on livestock or deer in a designated rural area. Under the new program, repayment assistance is available for up to four years in an amount to be determined at a later date.
- Vermont became the latest state to authorize a trust to provide for the care of an animal alive during the owner's lifetime.
- West Virginia prohibited the use of gas chambers for euthanasia, although counties that have a gas chamber in operation may continue to operate them subject to certain conditions.
Among the noteworthy bills that have failed, the California Senate defeated a measure that would have required school districts to make every effort to purchase poultry and meat products that have not been treated with non-therapeutic antibiotics. Many bills remain pending at this time, so watch for developments in future state legislative updates.
Court watch
A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived a lawsuit filed by three former Denver residents who claim that the city's pit bull ban is irrational and that there is no evidence that pit bulls pose a threat to public safety or constitute a public nuisance. The Colorado Legislature passed a law in 2004 that prohibits breed-specific bans, but a state court ruled in 2005 that the state law was an unconstitutional violation of local control. Denver banned pit bulls in 1989 and began to enforce the breed-specific prohibition in 2005. The plaintiffs moved out of the city to avoid losing their dogs and then filed suit.
The link at the top or bottom of the page will take you to the latest chart of significant pending bills and regulations from around the country.
View legislative update (PDF)
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