House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB117 - Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
Short Title
Requirements for the treatment and transportation of diseased dogs and cats.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 12, 2019
Chairperson Kerschen opened the hearing on SB117.
Tamera Lawrence from the Revisor of Statutes Office explained the bill and answered questions from the Committee members.
Katie Barnett spoke in support of the bill. She believes that the bill gives broad authority to the Animal Health Commissioner, allows for animal shelters and animal control agencies to move sick animals out of their facilities with specific veterinary guidelines, and gives back the autonomy of veterinarians to practice veterinary medicine. If passed she believes this bill would improve the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the public.(Attachment 1)
Midge Grinstead testified in support of the bill. She believes that the bill accomplishes a good objective by treating cats and dogs as companion animals and not as livestock. This bill allows the adoption or transfer of FIV positive non-symptomatic cats which would mean shelters would not have to keep them or euthanize them. According to her, Kansas is the only state that currently does not allow this adoption or transfer.(Attachment 2)
Mark Eby spoke in favor of the bill. He supports the bill because the current statute prevents organizations like animal shelters from saving the lives of sick and homeless dogs and cats and because of its broad enforcement, prevents veterinarians from saving dogs and cats. If this bill were to become law it would allow animal shelters to save the lives of the most vulnerable dogs and cats in the community. (Attachment 3)
Terry Humphrey testified in support of the bill. She believes the bill is a critical step forward and will relieve a significant burden on shelters and rescues. There is a big concern about allowing FIV cats to be adopted and it was thought that this would happen through rules and regulations of the Kansas Department of Agriculture. However this did not happen as the Department cited the livestock disease law as a barrier. This bill would eliminate that as a barrier.(Attachment 4)
Dr. Bradley Crauer spoke in support of the bill. He believes the bill fills two important needs. First, it updates outdated statutory language to specifically address animal shelters and recognize the unique environment they have become. Second, it separates that language from current statutes which continue to work well for agriculture.(Attachment 5)
Kenneth Titus gave neutral testimony on the bill. He believes that the overall result of this bill duplicates existing authority and the most appropriate solution to any concerns about the movement of dogs and cats with contagious or infectious disease would be through the administrative regulation process. Even though this is his preference, if the bill is passed and becomes a statute he will support the decision and work with proponents of the bill to address their concerns.(Attachment 6)
Steve Hitchcock presented neutral testimony on the bill. His organization is closely following the bill out of concerns that it may be used to add provisions that were not adopted last year in the modification of the Pet Animal statute. (Attachment 7)
Written proponent testimony was submitted by
Carla Lewis-Kansas Animal Control Association(Attachment 8)
Sarah Coffman-Wichita Animal Action League(Attachment 9)
Randi Carter-Beauty and Beasts(Attachment 10)
Jessica Sherwood-K-9 Karma Animal Advocates(Attachment 11)
Deb Ghere- Forever Home Pet Rescue(Attachment 12)
Jennifer Stewart-Kansas City, Kansas Animal Services(Attachment 13)
Mark Ekerberg- Wichita Veterinarian Medical Association(Attachment 14)
Michelle DePrima- private citizen(Attachment 15)
Dr. Jamie Fisher- Kansas Humane Society Veterinarian(Attachment 16)
Dr. Luke Pickett- Lawrence Humane Society(Attachment 17)
Harold A. Stones-private citizen-(Attachment 18)
Some concern was expressed by Committee members dealing with section 6 of the bill which deals with bringing a dog or cat into the state without a certificate of health. It was felt that this section needed to be reworded.
Chairperson Kerschen closed the hearing on SB 117.
With no other business before the Committee, Chairperson Kerschen adjourned the meeting at 9:20.
