Bill Text: NJ A4504 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Establishes "Stray Animal Study Commission."

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Failed) 2020-08-13 - Withdrawn from Consideration [A4504 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-A4504-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY, No. 4504

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED AUGUST 10, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes "Stray Animal Study Commission."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

 


An Act establishing the "Stray Animal Study Commission."

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.   There is created, within the Department of Health, the "Stray Animal Study Commission."

     b.    The study commission shall consist of 11 members as follows:

     (1)   The Commissioner of Health, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, and the Executive Director of the State Commission of Investigation, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio;

     (2)   A representative of the Humane Society of the United States, a representative of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a representative of the New Jersey Animal Control Officers Association, and a representative of a county prosecutor's office, each of whom shall be appointed by the Governor; and

     (3)   four directors or chief operating officers of animal shelters or pounds in the State, of whom one shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, one shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one shall to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly.

     c.     Any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

     d.    Members of the commission shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this act, and shall hold their initial organizational meeting as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days following appointment of a majority of its authorized membership.  At the initial organizational meeting, the members shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members of the study commission by a majority vote of the members present.

     e.     Members of the study commission shall serve without compensation.

     f.     A majority of all the authorized members of the study commission shall constitute a quorum, and no action of the study commission shall be taken without the affirmative vote of a majority of all the authorized members of the study commission, except for the election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson at the initial organizational meeting pursuant to subsection d. of this section.

     g.    The Department of Health shall provide primary staff support to the study commission.

     2.    a.   The purpose of the Stray Animal Study Commission shall be to:

     (1)   identify and study stray animal and animal control issues in the State, including issues surrounding stray and feral cats colloquially referred to as "community cats" and "cat colonies," and any funding shortfalls with regard to the issues identified;

     (2)   study, explore, and develop solutions to (a) stray animal or animal control problems identified, and (b) problems in municipalities concerning feral cats, community cats, or cat colonies; and

     (3)   provide recommendations for legal action, legislation, and possible funding sources to address stray animal or animal control problems in the State, including, but not limited to, those associated with feral cats, community cats, or cat colonies.

     b.    The study commission shall consult with professionals in the field of animal control and in the scientific and academic community for expertise and input concerning paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection a. of this section.

     c.     The study commission shall prepare a report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and shall submit the report to the Governor and to the Legislature in accordance with the requirements of section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), no later than 18 months following its organizational meeting.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on the 30th day after the study commission submits its final report.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill establishes an 11-member "Stray Animal Study Commission."

     The purpose of the Stray Animal Study Commission is to:

     (1)   identify and study stray animal and animal control issues in the State, including issues surrounding stray and feral cats colloquially referred to as "community cats" and "cat colonies," and any funding shortfalls with regard to the issues identified;

     (2)   study, explore, and develop solutions to (a) stray animal or animal control problems identified, and (b) problems in municipalities concerning feral cats, community cats, or cat colonies; and

     (3)   provide recommendations for legal action, legislation, and possible funding sources address stray animal or animal control problems in the State, including, but not limited to, those associated with feral cats, community cats, or cat colonies.

     The bill requires the study commission to consult with professionals in the field of animal control and in the scientific and academic community for expertise and input concerning its purpose.  Finally, the bill directs the study commission to prepare a report on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and to submit the report to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than 18 months following its organizational meeting.

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