EUTHANASIA OF ANIMALS                                                                              S.B. 403:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 403 (as introduced 6-16-15)

Sponsor:  Senator Marty Knollenberg

Committee:  Agriculture

Date Completed:  5-16-16

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 287 of 1969, which regulates pet shops and animal shelters, to provide that, beginning 60 days after the bill's effective date, euthanasia of a dog or cat that was physically located in an animal control shelter could be performed only by administering an injection of a commercially prepared solution as provided in Section 7333 of the Public Health Code.

(Section 7333 allows an animal control shelter to acquire a limited permit to buy, possess, and administer a prepared, premixed solution of sodium pentobarbital to euthanize an injured, sick, homeless, or unwanted domestic pet or animal, provided certain conditions are met.)

The bill's requirements would not apply to a veterinarian licensed under Part 188 (Veterinary Medicine) of the Public Health Code.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Proposed MCL 287.338b                                                    Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and would have a minimal fiscal impact on local government.  According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, there are few counties that do not already use the euthanizing method required under the bill. Those few counties could realize some additional costs in complying with the proposed requirement, in an amount that cannot be determined at this time.

In addition, a violation of the Act is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days' imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $500 (the "default" penalty under the Michigan Penal Code that applies to a misdemeanor for which no other penalty is established). An increase in misdemeanor arrests and convictions could increase resource demands on local court systems, law enforcement, and jails. Any associated increase in fine revenue would be dedicated to public libraries.

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

Ryan Bergan

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.