House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2477 - Committee on Agriculture
Short Title
Relating to the Kansas pet animal act.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 30, 2018
Chair Hoffman opened the hearing on HB2477 at 3:30pm.
Kyle Hamilton, Assistant Revisor, Office of The Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2477 and the statutes that it affects. (Attachment 1) There is a Fiscal Note for HB2477.
PROPONENTS
Josh Roe, Assistant Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture (KSDA), appeared before the Committee in support of HB2477. (Attachment 2) This bill make two changes to the Animal Facility Inspections (AFI) program within KSDA. First, it sets in statutes the license renewal deadline of 30 September. Current statute has the expiration date as 30 June, however, this has been over-ridden each year by budget proviso language.
Second, HB2477 established statutory fees for all license categories other than animal shelters, animal breeders and pet shops. In those cases, the bill sets maximum fees and the program can create subcategories in rules and regulations. This amended fee structure will allow the AFI program to be 80% self-sustaining from fees, but it does not make it so that fees generated from licensed facilities are subsidizing activities performed on behalf of non-licensed facilities.
Tucker A. Stewart, Associate Counsel, Kansas Livestock Association (KLA), appeared before the Committee in support of HB2477. (Attachment 3) The KLA supports HB2477. It is important for the Committee to know that during the 2010 Legislative Session, the statutory limit on fees for the livestock sector was increased by 66% to 250%. The result of that legislation and subsequent fee increases resulted in a higher percentage of fee revenue support for the animal disease control program. An increase in the animal facility inspection program fees should result in a more equitable distribution of the limited general funds between the livestock and pet animal programs.
Tom Bruno, President, Bruno & Associates, appeared before the Committee for Sara Meyer, Owner, BJ's & Guys LLC (who was ill) in support of HB2477. (Attachment 4) Mr Bruno provided a synopsis of Ms Meyer's testimony.
Written Only testimony in support of HB2477 was submitted by
Megan Kilgore, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (Attachment 5)
Michelle Russell, Kansas Pet Professionals (Attachment 6)
Staci William, Petland Topeka (Attachment 7)
Tara Dillow, Erie Kansas (Attachment 8)
NEUTRAL
Steve Hitchcock, Government Affairs, Kansas Federation of Animal Owners, appeared before the Committee as a neutral of HB2477. (Attachment 9) We have been opposed to previous attempt to change the Pet Animal Act due to the extensive changes to policy and definitions. We have neutral feelings for HB2477, since it primarily deals with the fee schedule and only slightly modifies the categories of breeders. We would like KSDA to address the issue of "late fees" across the entire Animal Health Division.
OPPONENTS
Kelly Kultala, Executive Direction, Humane Society Legislative Fund of Kansas, appeared before the Committee in opposition of HB2477. (Attachment 10) We oppose HB2477 because it rewards an ineffective, inefficient program with more money; it unfairly raises fees on animal shelters and rescues; and it short circuits legislative actions already taken to evaluate the performance of the AFI program.
Midge Grinstead, Senior State Director, Humane Society of the United States, appeared before the Committee in opposition of HB2477. (Attachment 11) This bill places a significant burden on nonprofit and municipal shelters. The slightest increase in fees on nonprofits or municipal shelters can mean the difference of buying much needed supplies or going without. Now is not the time to consider fee increases. Please wait for the Legislative Post-Audit report to be released.
Justin Brokar, Director of Community Engagement & Development, Helping Hands Humane Society Topeka, appeared before the Committee in opposition of HB2477. (Attachment 12) We all know that nonprofit businesses in our state struggle to generate revenue and keep expenses low. I understand the need for KSDA to increase revenue, but doing so on the backs of nonprofits is not acceptable. They need to explore increasing fees on facilities that fail their inspections or that fail to allow state inspectors to do their jobs.
Kimberly Pugliese, Board Member, Beauties & Beasts Inc, appeared before the Committee in opposition of HB2477. (Attachment 13) I am very concerned about the inconsistencies and failures of the AFI program. Why aren't efforts being made to correct the substandard performance of the program. There is a difference in how the Kansas Pet Act is applies to shelters and rescues versus breeders. This is not acceptable. Please postpone any action until the release of the Legislative Post Audit report.
Written Only testimony in opposition of HB2477 was submitted by
Crystal Swann Blackdeer, Leavenworth County Humane Society (Attachment 14)
Katie Barnett, Lawrence Humane Society (Attachment 15)
RaShann Southard, Hands of Hope Inc (Attachment 16)
Sarah Coffman, Wichita Animal Action League (Attachment 17)
Jessica Sherwood, K9 Karma Animal Advocates (Attachment 18)
Jennifer Burns, Kansas Animal Control Association (Attachment 19)
Tony Wenger, Kansas K9 Rescue (Attachment 20)
Amy Heggestad, Beauties & Beasts Inc (Attachment 21)
Randi Carter, All Dogs Bark N Play (Attachment 22)
All participants were available for questions; however, all questions from the Committee was directed to Mr Roe, KSDA.
The hearing on HB2477 was closed at 4:36pm.
Chair Hoffman adjourned the meeting at 4:40pm.
