House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee
PASSED

On Tuesday, March 17, the members of the Minnesota House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee passed HF 253 by a wide margin - 13 Yes votes to 4 No votes. (The 'no' votes were Representatives Bruce Anderson, Steve Drazkowski, Paul Kohls, and Ron Shimanski. Click here for legislators who voted yes.) Your calls do make a difference!

An amendment was offered by Representative Tillberry (author of HF 253). This amendment had been worked out with several interested parties to assure continuing progress. Certain language from Rep. Juhnke's bill (HF 573) was amended into HF 253 and supporters of Rep. Juhnke's bill now support HF 253.

The biggest change to the bill's language (per the amendment) is the definitions of "commercial breeder" and "hobby breeder." Instead of having the count for commercial breeders include 6 intact "females", the number was changed to "20 or more adult intact animals" and includes breeders who produce five or more litters per year. To keep the bill moving forward, the coalition supported this compromise. Committee members acknowledged these collaborative efforts by voting Yes.

The coalition will continue to fight for the strongest language possible while working collaboratively to get legislation passed.

Posted with permission of Animal Folks Minnesota.