ARFF - 2010 Legislative Session


	The best way to show legislators that animal protection is an important issue, is for animal advocates to communicate with their elected officials. Legislators do care what constituents (voters) think about issues. After all, elected officials generally want to be re-elected, and that means adequately addressing matters important to their constituents.
	Are you confused by the legislative process? Click to learn "How an Idea Becomes a Law." Click here to find your elected officials (requires 9-digit ZIP Code).

	The 2010 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature ended on Friday, April 30.

	S 104 and HB 1611 — Sexual Activities Involving Animals A bill entitled "Relating to Sexual Activities Involving Animals" was introduced in the Florida legislature. If passed Florida would have joined the majority of U.S. states that have taken a proactive approach to protecting animals from sexual predation. Senate Bill 104 and House Bill 1611 would have prohibited sexual contact with animals. In recent years, there have been several disturbing cases of sexual abuse of animals in Florida. Shockingly, bestiality has not yet been expressly outlawed in Florida. Status: On April 26, S104 passed the full Florida Senate with a unanimous 34-0 vote (after being unanimously approved by the Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations, the Committee on Judiciary, the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Criminal Justice)! The bill was sent to the Florida House of Represenatives, but unfortunately did not come up for a vote before the session ended. Please contact Senator Nan Rich and Representative Jim Waldman and thank them for sponsoring this important legislation: • Senator Nan Rich. E-mail: rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov. • Representative Jim Waldman. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Waldman. We hope that this legislation will be reintroduced next year.

	S 318 and HB 709 — Relating to Reptiles/Prohibitions Senate Bill 318, introduced by State Senator Eleanor Sobel, and House Bill 709, introduced by State Representative Trudi Williams, would prohibit the possession, import, sale or breeding of several species of large reptiles, including the Burmese python, African rock python, anaconda and Nile monitor (a person who currently possesses one of these reptiles would be allowed to keep the animal for the remainder of that animal's life). The legislation would "turn off the spigot, stopping the flow of dangerous reptiles into the State,” Sen. Sobel said in a press release. “Florida must be proactive and preventative. Other species like anacondas and large lizards, such as Nile monitors, may become the next Burmese python unless we act now.” Status: On April 28, HB 709 passed the full Florida House of Represenatives with a unanimous 116-0 vote! On April 23, S318 passed the Florida Senate with a unanimous 35-0 vote! The bill was signed by Governor Charlie Crist on June 3! Please contact Senator Sobel and Representative Williams and thank them for sponsoring this legislation. • Senator Eleanor Sobel. E-mail: sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov • Representative Trudi K. Williams. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Williams.

	S 122 — Sale of Dogs and Cats Senate Bill 122, introduced by Senator Larcenia Bullard, would strengthen Florida's "Pet Lemon Law" by transferring the power to regulate the sale of dogs and cats to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill would also strengthen penalties for violations (allowing fines of up to $10,000), and provide funding to add one additional full-time employee to enforce the rules. Status: S122 was unanimously approved by the Committee on Agriculture, but did not progress further before the end of the session. Please thank Sen. Bullard for introducing this bill: • Senator Larcenia Bullard. E-mail: bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov

	S 1708 and HB 765 — Unlawful Slaughter of Horses Senate Bill 1708 and House Bill 765 would strengthen the State of Florida's restrictions on the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. If passed, it would be be illegal in Florida to sell, purchase, distribute, transport or possess horsemeat unless "it is clearly stamped, marked, or described as horsemeat for human consumption." The sale or purchase of horsemeat from unlicensed slaughterhouses would be expressly prohibited (currently, there are no slaughterhouses in Florida licensed to slaughter horses). The legislation would also increase penalties for violations of the regulations, and for the unlawful killing of a horse. Since the beginning of 2009, there has been a disturbing increase in the illegal slaughter of horses for their flesh in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere in Florida. Senate Bill 1708 was introduced by State Senator Victor D. Crist. HB 765 was introduced by State Representatives Luis R. Garcia, Jr. and Joseph Abruzzo. Status: On April 21-22, HB 765/S1708 was passed by the full Florida Senate and House of Representatives with unanimous 38-0 and 114-0 votes! On May 14, the bill was signed into law by Governor Crist. Please thank Senator Crist and Representatives Garcia and Abruzzo for introducing this legislation. • Senator Victor D. Crist. E-mail: crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov • Representative Luis R. Garcia, Jr.. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Garcia. • Representative Joseph Abruzzo. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Abruzzo.

	S 2372 and HB 1221 - Animal Control or Cruelty Ordinances Senate Bill 2372, introduced by Senator Nan Rich, and House Bill 1221, introduced by Rep. Scott Randolph, would require county's or municipalities in Florida to collect a $15 surcharge for each violation of an ordinance relating to animal cruelty or control. At least $9 of the surcharge would be used to subsidize the costs of spaying or neutering dogs and cats in the community. Status: S2372 was approved by the Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Community Affairs, but unfortunately did not make it to the floor of the Senate for a vote before the session ended. HB 1221 was unanimously approved by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee, but did not progress further before the end of the session. Please thank Senator Rich and Representative Randolph for introducing this legislation. • Senator Nan Rich. E-mail: rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov • Representative Scott Randolph. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Randolph. We hope that this legislation will be reintroduced next year.