BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION; LOCAL GOV.                                         H.B. 4035 (H-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4035 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Jim Ellison

House Committee:  Local Government and Municipal Finance

                             Ways and Means

Senate Committee:  Local Government

CONTENT

The bill would enact a new law to prohibit a local unit of government from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution, or rule that regulated a dog based upon the dog's breed or perceived breed. The bill would not prohibit a local unit of government from enacting an ordinance, policy, resolution, or rule that placed restrictions or impose additional requirements on dogs or dog owners, or regulated dogs determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous by the local unit of government.

An ordinance, policy, resolution, or rule enacted to regulate dogs determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous could include all of the following:

-- A definition of "dangerous dog", or a similar term or terms, to be used in determining that a dog was dangerous or potentially dangerous.

-- Rules and procedures that provided for a process by which a dog would be determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous.

-- Requirements for the ownership or possession of a dog that had been determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous.

-- Penalties for a violation of the ordinance, policy, resolution, or rule by the owner or possessor of a dog that had been determined to be dangerous or potentially dangerous.

                                                                                Legislative Analyst:  Dana Adams

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  12-8-20                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  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.