Two bills supported by AKC have recently been approved by Texas legislative committees.
HB 652—Shelter Disease Outbreak Reporting
Last week, the Texas House Committee on Public Health amended and approved HB 652.
In its original version, the bill would have required animal shelters to provide notice to each person who adopts an animal from the shelter of any “epizootic” infectious disease that occurs among the animals in the shelter within a 15-day period before and after the date of transfer. Instead of the “epizootic infectious disease” reporting requirement, the committee substitute requires shelters to notify an owner if the animal was or may have been exposed to a bodily fluid of another animal in the shelter that was diagnosed with bordetella, distemper, kennel cough, leptospirosis, parvovirus, or rabies, and the shelter learns of the exposure within 15 days before or after the owner acquires the animal.
Click here to read AKC’s March 8 action alert on the first version of HB 652.
Despite the amendment, AKC continues to support HB 652 as a common-sense measure that can help inform adopters about potential health concerns.
HB1677—Establishing a Police Service Animals Memorial Monument
Yesterday, the House Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee approved HB 1677 as introduced. The bill seeks to direct the State Preservation Board to establish a Texas Police Service Animals Memorial Monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol. AKC supports HB 1677’s effort to recognize and honor police dogs and other police animals killed in the line of duty.
Click here to read AKC’s March 11 action alert on HB 1677.
Neither HB 652 nor HB 1677 have yet been assigned to other committees for consideration, or to the full House for a vote; however, AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates on HB 652, HB 1677, and other dog-related legislation in Texas as developments warrant. For more information, email doglaw@akc.org.