Here's a copy of an amendment to one of the many dog-related bills in the Legislature this year. Please look at it, and if you have any thoughts about it, send them directly to Jon Cole. Be sure to identify yourself as an ORKC member.
Also, the commercial breeders bill continues to work its way around the various committees. Please contact your legislators to express your opinion on this bill. Phone calls probably work the best, as they seem to be ignoring emails and letters, particularly if they don't support their current position.
HB 238 – SB 555
TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FISCAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
FISCAL MEMORANDUM
HB 238 – SB 555
May 11, 2009
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT (006310): Deletes all language after the
enacting clause. Defines "vicious dog" as any dog that has attached a person,
without provocation, causing serious bodily injury. Broadens the definition of
"violent felony" to mean any felony involving the use or attempted use of force,
violence, or a deadly weapon; a violation of controlled substance offenses,
promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, or initiation of a process
intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine; or a violation of
cruelty to animals, cock and animal fighting, intentional killing of an animal,
aggravated cruelty to animals, or a criminal offense against an animal. Creates
a new Class A misdemeanor for a person convicted of a violent felony that
occurs on or after July 1, 2009, knowingly to own, possess, have custody of, or
reside in a residence with a vicious dog until 10 years after the person has
been released from custody or active supervision. Creates a new Class A
misdemeanor for a person convicted of a violent felony that occurs on or after
July 1, 2009, to own, possess, or have custody of a dog that is not microchipped
for permanent identification or is not spayed or neutered and is older
than 12 weeks of age.
FISCAL IMPACT OF ORIGINAL BILL:
Increase State Expenditures - $5,581,000/Incarceration*
FISCAL IMPACT OF BILL WITH PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
Increase State Revenue – Not Significant
Increase State Expenditures – Not Significant
Increase Local Revenue – Not Significant
Increase Local Expenditures – Not Significant
Assumption applied to amendment:
• A small increase in cases in the court system, which will result in
additional state and local government expenditures for processing the
cases and additional state and local government revenue from fees,
HB 238 – SB 555
taxes and costs collected. These expenditures and revenue are
estimated to be not significant.
*Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 9-4-210, requires that: For any law enacted after July 1, 1986,
which results in a net increase in periods of imprisonment in state facilities, there shall be appropriated
from recurring revenues the estimated operating cost of such law. The amount appropriated from recurring
revenues shall be based upon the highest cost of the next 10 years.
CERTIFICATION:
This is to duly certify that the information contained herein is true and
correct to the best of my knowledge.
James W. White, Executive Director
/lsc
Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue
"Outside a dog, a book is probably a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read." -- Groucho Marx