The laws of local and state jurisdictions can make the difference for animals and people in their communities. Safe and humane communities are made not just of the people who live there, but also by the regulations and standards set by those elected to represent them. In order to help our elected officials make sound decisions about pets and their families, we encourage animal lovers to communicate with them in a professional, calm manner about the things that matter in their lives and their communities.
For the most up to date information about proposed legislation affecting pet owners and animal lovers in Georgia, visit our sister organization, Georgia Pet Coalition. You can also follow them on Facebook.
For the most up to date information about proposed legislation affecting pet owners and animal lovers in Georgia, visit our sister organization, Georgia Pet Coalition. You can also follow them on Facebook.
Current happenings at the local and state level
Here is a summary of the bills that affected companion animals in 2016; they have not been signed into law yet.
Cost Of Animal Care PASSED! Defendants in animal abuse cases would be liable for expenses incurred while their animals are being held during the trial process. This creates an incentive for defendants in animal abuse cases to release their pets for adoption, instead of housing them indefinitely in shelters, at the expense of taxpayers.
http://www.ajc.com/…/bill-makes-cruelty-suspects-lia…/nqrhN/
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/356
Adoptable Dog as our official State Dog PASSED! (hitch hiked onto another code bill after stalling in Senate)
http://www.ajc.com/…/lawmakers-name-adoptable-dog-as…/nqr2s/
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/168
(New) Spay Neuter Tag PASSED, combined into bill with another tag
This new process will generate much more money for S/N grants than previous tag.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/HB/736
Senate agreed to amendment on fireworks bill. Some local control restored. Improvement on 2015 law.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/HB/727
Bad bill: - SB 184 (still known as BSL bill) 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.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/184
Overall, it was a pretty good year for companion animals under the gold dome. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTACTED LAW MAKERS! Every voice matters.
Cost Of Animal Care PASSED! Defendants in animal abuse cases would be liable for expenses incurred while their animals are being held during the trial process. This creates an incentive for defendants in animal abuse cases to release their pets for adoption, instead of housing them indefinitely in shelters, at the expense of taxpayers.
http://www.ajc.com/…/bill-makes-cruelty-suspects-lia…/nqrhN/
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/356
Adoptable Dog as our official State Dog PASSED! (hitch hiked onto another code bill after stalling in Senate)
http://www.ajc.com/…/lawmakers-name-adoptable-dog-as…/nqr2s/
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/168
(New) Spay Neuter Tag PASSED, combined into bill with another tag
This new process will generate much more money for S/N grants than previous tag.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/HB/736
Senate agreed to amendment on fireworks bill. Some local control restored. Improvement on 2015 law.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/HB/727
Bad bill: - SB 184 (still known as BSL bill) 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.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislati…/…/display/20152016/SB/184
Overall, it was a pretty good year for companion animals under the gold dome. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTACTED LAW MAKERS! Every voice matters.