GREAT NEWS – On Tuesday, March 17, the members of the House Public Safety Committee passed H.F. 253 by a wide margin – 13 Yes votes to 4 No votes (the No votes were Representatives Bruce Anderson, Steve Drazkowski, Paul Kohls, and Ron Shimanski.). Your calls do make a difference!

An amendment was offered by Rep. Tillberry (author of H.F. 253) that had been worked out with several interested parties to assure continuing progress. Certain language from Rep. Juhnke’s bill (H.F. 573) was amended into H.F. 253 and supporters of Rep. Juhnke’s bill now support H.F. 253.

The biggest change to the bill’s language is the definitions of “commercial breeder” and “hobby breeder”. Instead of having the count for commercial breeders include 6 intact “females”, the number was changed to “20 or more adult intact animals” and includes breeders who produce five or more litters per year. To keep the bill moving forward, the coalition supported this compromise. Committee members acknowledged these collaborative efforts by voting Yes. The coalition will continue to fight for the strongest language possible while working collaboratively to get legislation passed. To view the amendment (revised, approved language for H.F. 253), click here.

Action Needed—Please Call Before 4:00 PM Monday, 3/23/09

We need your help again. The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill bill – H.F. 253 – is going to be heard in the House Civil Justice Committee on Monday, March 23. Please call all of the members on the committee before 4:00 p.m. Mondayand leave a message asking them to vote in favor of Representative Tillberry’s bill (H.F. 253). (See Note below)

As you may know, hearings are unpredictable. Unforeseen amendments to weaken the bill may be introduced by committee members at the hearing, which is why it’s important to urge them not to accept any amendments that would weaken it. Legislators are hearing from dog and cat breeders, hunting groups, the NRA, and others who oppose the bill (or any regulation) so they need to hear from us. We need to protect Minnesota dogs and cats who are forced to live in substandard and deplorable conditions.

Calls at this critical time are more effective than emails. Important – If you are a constituent of a committee member listed below, be sure he/she knows that.

NOTE: If you already called all the House Public Safety Committee members, then you only need to call the ones highlighted in red below because they have not heard from you yet. (Legislators sit on multiple committees.) If you didn’t have a chance to contact those members, then please call all members of the House Civil Justice Committee below.

House Civil Justice Committee

• Chair: Representative Joe Mullery – 651-296-4262
• Vice Chair: Representative Gail Kulick Jackson – 651-296-6746
• Representative Bobby Joe Champion – 651-296-8659
• Representative Steve Drazkowski – 651-296-2273 (he voted NO in Public Safety)
• Representative Debra Hilstrom – 651-296-3709
• Representative Mary Liz Holberg – 651-296-6926
• Representative Melissa Hortman – 651-296-4280
• Representative Sheldon Johnson – 651-296-4201
• Representative Tim Kelly – 651-296-8635
• Representative Tim Mahoney – 651-296-4277
• Representative Dave Olin – 651-296-9635
• Representative Michael Paymar – 651-296-4199 (co-author)
• Representative Peggy Scott – 651-296-4231
• Representative Torrey Westrom – 651-296-4929

Talking Points

H.F. 253 addresses the problem (inhumane breeding conditions and practices) through:

• Licensing – licenses larger breeders (not small or hobby breeders);
• Inspections – gives the State the authority to conduct annual inspections of breeding facilities;
• Standards – requires breeders to comply with existing laws and regulations, and puts in place additional standards that are lacking in existing law (such as adequate staff, daily socialization, identification and tracking of each animal, and not hiring anyone who has been convicted of animal cruelty);
• Enforcement – gives oversight to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health;
• Funding – provides funding to the Board by way of licensing and registration fees; and
• Penalties – provides civil, administrative and criminal penalties for breaking the law.

H.F. 253 is a responsible bill because it addresses the core problem, works hand-in-hand with existing Minnesota anti-cruelty laws, and has strong support by a large coalition of humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, humane agents, veterinarians, breeders, and individuals from across the State. This issue is about human responsibility – requiring breeders to act responsibly and humanely.