Minnesota’s 2020 Legislative Session began on February 11. In addition to Animal Humane Society’s other legislative priorities, our primary focus during this session will be advocating for House File 3584 and Senate File 3481, a bill to establish a Companion Animal Board.

Authored by Senator Carrie Ruud and Representative John Lesch, this bill was introduced last session to create a state board with specific expertise and skills to respond to issues pertaining to companion animals. The bill was referred to the Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division and the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee where it didn’t receive a hearing in the House or Senate.

The bill was re-introduced this session and referred to the Government Operations and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committees. House File 3584 had a hearing in the House Government Operations Committee on Tuesday, March 10. It passed in that committee and was then referred to the Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division.

To support these efforts, AHS recently launched mncab.org in partnership with Animal Folks. The website features more information about the bill, why it's important for the state of Minnesota to have a companion animal board, and more.

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