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Minutes for HB2297 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Authorizing the animal health commissioner to issue permits for raccoon ownership and requiring vaccinations, annual check-ups, educational program completion and compliance with breeding restrictions.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 17, 2025
Chairperson Rahjes opened the hearing on HB2297 and asked Revisor Kyle Hamilton, Office of Revisor of Statutes, to give the bill brief. (Attachment 2)
Research Analyst, Heather O'Hara, Legislative Research Department, was asked to review the fiscal note.
Oral Proponent testimony was offered by Representative Joe Seiwert, 101st District, Kansas House of Representatives (Attachment 3) Representative Seiwert turned the microphone over to his intern, Charles Simpson, University of Kansas, to read his testimony for him. He stood for questions.
Stephen Kaspar, Citizen, also presented Oral Proponent testimony on HB2297. (Attachment 4), (Attachment 5), (Attachment 6) He stood for questions.
There was no other proponent testimony.
Spencer Duncan, Government Affairs Director, The League of Kansas Municipalities, was an Oral Opponent. (Attachment 7) He stood for questions.
Erin M. Petro, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, State Public Health Veterinarian, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Attachment 8) She appeared via WebEx to answer questions from Committee members.
Written-Only Opponent testimony was presented by the following:
Representative John Carmichael, District 92, Kansas House of Representatives (Attachment 9)
Jay Hall, Deputy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 10)
Susan Cunningham, Citizen (Attachment 11)
There was no other opponent testimony.
Giving Oral Neutral testimony was Elizabeth Chambers, Policy Intern and Flinchbaugh Fellow, Kansas Department of Agriculture (Attachment 12) She stood for questions
Written-Only Neutral testimony was received from Christopher Kennedy, Acting Secretary, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (Attachment 13)
There being no other testimony, Chairperson Rajhes thanked the conferees and closed the hearing on HB2297.
