On Monday, March 27, 2023, the Florida House Civil Justice Subcommittee is scheduled to consider a new “Lawyers for Animals” bill, House Bill 989. It is similar to bills promoted in previous legislative sessions by animal rights activists as part of efforts to alter the legal status of animals and provide them human rights, including individual legal representation.
HB 989 seeks to authorize a court to appoint a separate animal advocate in certain court proceedings. Providing third-party advocates in a legal proceeding is generally reserved to protect the interests of minor children or other people lacking legal capacity. The Florida judiciary system already fairly adjudicates cases of animal offenses and animal custody disputes without jeopardizing the legal status of animals and without authorizing outside interests to attempt to influence the outcome of cases.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Florida residents are urged to contact subcommittee members, respectfully express your concerns, and ask them to VOTE NO on House Bill 989. Because this bill is scheduled to be heard at 8:00am on Monday, take a moment to send emails or leave voice mail messages over the weekend. It is sufficient to politely state, “My name is ________, I am a Florida resident, and I ask you to VOTE NO on House Bill 989. Thank you.”
Rep. William Robinson, Chair, will.robinson@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5071
Rep. John Snyder, Vice Chair, john.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5086
Rep. Kristen Arrington, kristen.arrington@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5046
Rep. Mike Beltran, mike.beltran@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5070
Rep. Dean Black , dean.black@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5015
Rep. Daryl Campbell, daryl.campbell@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5099
Rep. Kimberly Daniels, kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5014
Rep. Ashley Gantt, ashley.gantt@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5109
Rep. Johanna Lopez, johanna.lopez@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5043
Rep. Randall Maggard, randy.maggard@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5054
Rep. Thomas Maney, patt.maney@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5004
Rep. Fiona McFarland, fiona.mcfarland@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5073
Rep. Kiyan Michael, kiyan.michael@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5016
Rep. Tobin Overdorf, toby.overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5085
Rep. Alejandro Rizo, alex.rizo@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5112
Rep. Rick Roth, rick.roth@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5094
Rep. Tyler Sirois , tyler.sirois@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5031
Rep. David Smith, david.smith@myfloridahouse.gov, (850)717-5038
Talking Points and Resources
Informational Flyer: Laws That Provide Court- Appointed Animal Advocates Could Undermine Animal Welfare
Key Issue Page: Legal Status of Animals
For additional information, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.