I am part of RPOA and post this for your information.
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
Texas Outreach
April 19, 2015
To subscribe: Email
rpoa@texas.net All Texas Legislature information can be found at
www.rpoatexasoutreach.orgunder our Home Page "2015 Texas Legislature" Link. There is a list of all
animal bills -- those we support, oppose, or offer as information only. The
links provide our analysis and positions, including a copy of the bill
itself. Also maps of all Capitol floors, restrooms, suggested dialog (if
you want it!), parking info, and Fact Sheets on each bill for your use. The
Fact Sheets can be faxed to your legislators and committee members holding
public hearings. We try to make it easy! ASPCA, Animal Legal Defense
Fund, Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS), Texas Humane Legislation (the HSUS
arm in Texas), and many other anti-pet agencies are at the Legislature in
full force. If you're not "with" us, you're against us! It will take ALL
of us to preserve our historic relationships with animals in Texas and
elsewhere.
Multiple animal bills will have public hearings Tuesday, April 21st at the
Texas Legislature.
BUT FIRST THE GOOD NEWS ON BILLS WE SUPPORT!
HB 1436, by John Smithee (R), relating to dangerous dogs appeals, has been
voted favorably w/o amendments out of House Committee.
HB 593, by Nicole Collier (D), relating to animal encounter training for
peace officers, passed to third reading in the House.
OPPOSITION to the Animal Legal Defense Fund Bill (ALDF) HB 235 below.
(Texas Animal Law Section of our State Bar and Texas Humane Legislation
Network both include members of ALDF.) ALDF is the national organization
seeking "personhood" for animals in our courts and legal system, which would
eliminate all animal "use," their publicly stated goal!
HB 235, by Jessica Farrar (D), establishing an "Animal Abusers Registry" was
left pending in committee and we must keep it there. Hearing held and
substitute pulled. One member asked questions and wanted to work with
author ... because he wants to support the bill. BARK (Houston Animal
Control) and ALDF testified FOR the bill. Two committee members had
questions centering around the database itself -- protecting privacy,
access, and mentioned even if offenders are removed from list, the old list
will always exist because of technology. No state has passed this ... yet.
We don't want Texas to be the first to do so!
There are three bills RPOA OPPOSES being heard Tuesday, April 21, 2015:
HB 1800, by Amando Walle (D), ADDING public nuisance and aggressive dogs to
dangerous dog regulations.
House Urban Affairs Committee, set for 10:30 a.m. or ADJ., E2.028 (Barking
dogs are considered a public nuisance.)
HB 2562, by Kenneth Sheets (R), "Care" of ALL unattended outdoor dogs; Also
regulates tethered dogs separately.
House Public Health Committee, set for 8:00 a.m., E2.012.
HB 3963, by Jessica Farrar (D), Establishment and Functions of a state
Animal Welfare Commission.
House Urban Affairs Committee, set for 10:30 a.m. or ADJ., E2.028.
THIS IS A VERY BAD BILL! The "Animal Rights" Vigilantes are confident that
they are unstoppable in Texas after passage of the misnamed "Puppy Mill"
Bill in 2011. This is another "tool" for the radical extremists to grease
the track for their Anti-Pet Legislative Agenda.
We hope you care enough to stand up for your animals. If not you, who will?
Your legislators have web pages on the Legislature's website:
www.capitol.state.tx.us/ where you can make comments. Keep our pets out of
politics!
