Outcome of the 2010 Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill

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Last month, Animal Humane Society rescued 61 animals from a dangerous puppy mill facility near Mora, Minn. Ironically, at the same time, the Dog and Cat Breeder Bill, also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, was still “on the table” in the agriculture committees in both the House and Senate. Lobbyists worked tirelessly as deadlines for the committees grew closer. Their efforts resulted in the bill being granted a hearing in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, March 9. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass committee, ending the opportunity to enact this legislation in 2010.

Click here to learn how each committee member voted and what you can do TODAY to show your continued support. Continue reading below for a summary of the hearing.

The coalition leading the effort, which includes Animal Humane Society, does not see this as an end. It is the beginning of a movement. Thousands of people throughout Minnesota voiced their support of the bill and the Minnesota Legislature heard us. They now know about the problem of inhumane dog and cat breeding and the need for regulation.

Continue to follow Animal Humane Society to build support as we move forward with this effort and visit our friends at www.animalfolksmn.org for more in-depth research on puppy and kitten mills in Minnesota.

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HEARING SUMMARY

Quick history. S.F. 7 and H.F. 253 were laid on the table ("put on hold") in their respective agriculture committees during the 2009 session. In order to move each bill along, a majority vote was needed in each agriculture committee to take the bill off the table and continue discussions.

The bill also needed to meet committee deadlines. The first policy committee deadline in the Minnesota Legislature was Friday, March 12. All bills must pass through all policy committees in either the House or Senate by this date. Because S.F. 7 did not pass the Senate Agriculture Committee, the committee deadlines could not be met.

Time ran out. The team lobbying for the bill worked hard to meet with agriculture committee members in both the House and Senate trying to get hearings and secure the votes before policy committee deadlines on March 12, 2010. Thousands of constituents from all over Minnesota also called, emailed and wrote legislators to show support.

The chair of the House Agriculture Committee, Representative Mary Ellen Otremba, would not grant H.F. 253 a hearing until there was movement in the Senate; however, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Jim Vickerman, would not grant S.F. 7 a hearing. In an effort to keep it moving, the lobbying team for the bill took different action, bypassing the normal way a bill is scheduled and given a hearing.

Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes, who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee and was supportive of the bill, was approached and she agreed to make a motion on March 9, 2010, to move S.F. 7 off the table for a hearing. This motion passed, which then allowed the bill to be debated in committee.

The hearing. Senator Don Betzold, the author of S.F. 7, gave an overview of the bill. He did an excellent job, as did Animal Humane Society Humane Agent Keith Streff who responded to questions from committee members. The chair did not allow for any public testimony.

One legislator was very supportive and expressed his reasons. Another legislator was in strong opposition and insisted "the system works as is." One legislator committed to voting yes prior to the meeting but then changed her vote. The chair was not supportive.

When there were no more questions on the bill, a motion was made to vote yes or no on the bill. The committee vote was 7 to 5 - opposed. The bill failed.

Following the vote, two legislators (who voted yes) expressed a clear desire that something needs to be done.

Note: For video coverage of the meeting, go to: Senate Agriculture Committee
Senate File 7 is the last item discussed.

Every legislator on the Senate Agriculture Committee was lobbied multiple times. Each was fully aware of the details of the bill and has seen or heard about animal cruelty, consumer fraud, tax evasion, and other issues defining the problem.

As for the opposition, lobbyists for agricultural interests and for the larger breeders also showed up at the committee meeting, as did the NRA lobbyists. They worked hard lobbying committee members. In addition, some small breeders who did not understand the details of the bill, worked hard against it.