Sadies Mom
Well-Known Member
Issue #2: Pets in Protective Orders
Bill Number: SB 555
Background:
Sponsored by the Texas Federation of Animal Care Societies, a "Pets in Protective Orders" bill was signed by Governor Perry in 2011 requiring that companion animals be included in protective orders. The law was designed to give more protection to not only victims of domestic abuse, but their pets as well. This is an important law because some abuse victims are afraid to leave their pets behind with their abusers. After the bill was signed, it was learned that the Texas District and County Attorneys Association wanted some of the language changed before enforcing the law. Therefore, SB 555 is basically a technical fix to the current law and adds "actual or constructive care" to "possession."
SB 555 has passed the Senate and THLN needs your help to get the bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote.
How to Take Action:
THLN is asking your help to contact members of the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee as listed below and ask them to, "Please vote the bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote."
Chair: Rep. Tryon D. Lewis (512.463.0546; tryon.lewis@house.state.tx.us)
Vice Chair: Rep. Jessica Farrar (512.463.0620; jessica.farrar@house.state.tx.us)
Members:
Rep. Marsha Farney (512.463.0309; marsha.farney@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Lance Gooden (512.463.0458; lance.gooden@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna (512.463.0614; ana.luna@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Todd Hunter (512.463.0672; todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ken King (512.463.0736; ken.king@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (512.463.0558; richard.raymond@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Senfronia Thompson (512.463.0720; senfronia.thompson@house.state.tx.us)
Issue #3: Jurisdiction for Appeals in Cases of Dogs Deemed "Dangerous"
Bill Number: HB 297
Background:
Under Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, a dog owner currently has the right to appeal a city judge's determination whether that dog is dangerous. Unfortunately, when the Texas legislature enacted the dangerous dog statute, it forgot to give any court jurisdiction to hear these appeals. HB 297 (an official State Bar of Texas bill) fixes this problem by allowing county courts at law to hear these appeals. In other words, the bill does not create any new rights, but only serves as a technical addition in that it establishes jurisdiction for appeals. The law is desperately needed because many dogs are being deemed "dangerous" and therefore euthanized in the city courts without due process of the law or the ability of the dog owner to appeal.
HB 297 had a hearing on April 18, 2013, and it was left pending in the House County Affairs Committee.
How to Take Action:
THLN is asking your help to contact members of the House County Affairs Committee as listed below and ask them to, "Please vote HB 297 out of committee and place it on the local and consent calendar."
Chair: Rep. Garnet Coleman (1.512.463.0524; garnet.coleman@house.state.tx.us)
Vice Chair: Rep. Joe Farias (1.512.463.0714; joe.farias@house.state.tx.us)
Members:
Rep. Mary E. González (1.512.463.0613; mary.gonzalez@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna (1.512.463.0614; ana.luna@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Todd Hunter (1.512.463.0672; todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst (1.512.463.0600; lois.kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Matt Krause (1.512.463.0562; matt.krause@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. David Simpson (1.512.463.0750; david.simpson@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Jonathan Stickland (1.512.463.0522; johanthan.stickland@house.state.tx.us)
__________________________________________________________
Update: SB 360 / HB 858 - The Gassing Bill
Thank you, members, for our never ending support at the Capitol!
Because of your support, specifically your calls and emails last Thursday, SB 360 -- the bill to end gas chamber euthanasia for Texas shelter dogs and cats -- was unanimously voted out of the House on April 26, 2013, 135-0. The bill now is on its way to Governor Perry's desk. Right now, we are working with Governor Perry's office to ensure there are no bumps in the road. If any action is necessary, THLN will let you know. In the meantime, this is a wonderful opportunity to thank your representative and senator for voting in favor of these bills. Hand written notes to the legislators and their staff are always appreciated and hopefully opens the door for potential sponsors on animal welfare legislation next session.
Thank you for taking action!
Questions? Contact Shelby Bobosky, boboskysl@gmail.com
Bill Number: SB 555
Background:
Sponsored by the Texas Federation of Animal Care Societies, a "Pets in Protective Orders" bill was signed by Governor Perry in 2011 requiring that companion animals be included in protective orders. The law was designed to give more protection to not only victims of domestic abuse, but their pets as well. This is an important law because some abuse victims are afraid to leave their pets behind with their abusers. After the bill was signed, it was learned that the Texas District and County Attorneys Association wanted some of the language changed before enforcing the law. Therefore, SB 555 is basically a technical fix to the current law and adds "actual or constructive care" to "possession."
SB 555 has passed the Senate and THLN needs your help to get the bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote.
How to Take Action:
THLN is asking your help to contact members of the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee as listed below and ask them to, "Please vote the bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote."
Chair: Rep. Tryon D. Lewis (512.463.0546; tryon.lewis@house.state.tx.us)
Vice Chair: Rep. Jessica Farrar (512.463.0620; jessica.farrar@house.state.tx.us)
Members:
Rep. Marsha Farney (512.463.0309; marsha.farney@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Lance Gooden (512.463.0458; lance.gooden@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna (512.463.0614; ana.luna@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Todd Hunter (512.463.0672; todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ken King (512.463.0736; ken.king@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (512.463.0558; richard.raymond@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Senfronia Thompson (512.463.0720; senfronia.thompson@house.state.tx.us)
__________________________________________________________
Bill Number: HB 297
Background:
Under Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, a dog owner currently has the right to appeal a city judge's determination whether that dog is dangerous. Unfortunately, when the Texas legislature enacted the dangerous dog statute, it forgot to give any court jurisdiction to hear these appeals. HB 297 (an official State Bar of Texas bill) fixes this problem by allowing county courts at law to hear these appeals. In other words, the bill does not create any new rights, but only serves as a technical addition in that it establishes jurisdiction for appeals. The law is desperately needed because many dogs are being deemed "dangerous" and therefore euthanized in the city courts without due process of the law or the ability of the dog owner to appeal.
HB 297 had a hearing on April 18, 2013, and it was left pending in the House County Affairs Committee.
How to Take Action:
THLN is asking your help to contact members of the House County Affairs Committee as listed below and ask them to, "Please vote HB 297 out of committee and place it on the local and consent calendar."
Chair: Rep. Garnet Coleman (1.512.463.0524; garnet.coleman@house.state.tx.us)
Vice Chair: Rep. Joe Farias (1.512.463.0714; joe.farias@house.state.tx.us)
Members:
Rep. Mary E. González (1.512.463.0613; mary.gonzalez@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna (1.512.463.0614; ana.luna@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Todd Hunter (1.512.463.0672; todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst (1.512.463.0600; lois.kolkhorst@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Matt Krause (1.512.463.0562; matt.krause@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. David Simpson (1.512.463.0750; david.simpson@house.state.tx.us)
Rep. Jonathan Stickland (1.512.463.0522; johanthan.stickland@house.state.tx.us)
__________________________________________________________
Update: SB 360 / HB 858 - The Gassing Bill
Thank you, members, for our never ending support at the Capitol!
Because of your support, specifically your calls and emails last Thursday, SB 360 -- the bill to end gas chamber euthanasia for Texas shelter dogs and cats -- was unanimously voted out of the House on April 26, 2013, 135-0. The bill now is on its way to Governor Perry's desk. Right now, we are working with Governor Perry's office to ensure there are no bumps in the road. If any action is necessary, THLN will let you know. In the meantime, this is a wonderful opportunity to thank your representative and senator for voting in favor of these bills. Hand written notes to the legislators and their staff are always appreciated and hopefully opens the door for potential sponsors on animal welfare legislation next session.
Thank you for taking action!
Questions? Contact Shelby Bobosky, boboskysl@gmail.com