Tag Archives: legislation

Ohio HB 14 signed by governor

Ohio HB 14 was signed by the governor this morning. This bill repeals Ohio’s state-level BSL and overhauls the state’s dangerous dog laws. I believe the bill will go into effect in 90 days.

Many thanks to the advocates and ordinary citizens who worked diligently to get this passed. It is a huge step forward not only for Ohio, but for those places around the U.S. and the world that have looked to Ohio when discussing or passing their own dog laws.

Please note, this bill only affects the law at the state level. Municipalities are not required to change their own ordinances. If a city or county within Ohio has BSL or a breed ban, that will not change, so please exercise caution when traveling in Ohio with your dog. Know the local laws!

Ontario: Bill 16 second reading and rally, Feb 23

Bill 16, which would repeal the breed ban in the Canadian province of Ontario, is scheduled for a second reading on Feb 23. Supporters of the bill have planned a large rally in Queen’s Park (Toronto) on Feb 23 beginning at 11:30 am, and the bill sponsors will also be there.

We have had a major BSL repeal already this year in the U.S. (Ohio!) Please help spread the word and get supporters out in force at Queen’s Park. To have another large government pass BSL repeal in the same year would definitely make a statement, especially to those places that are considering BSL.

Contact your Ontario MPP: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en

If you would like to help repeal Ontario’s ban, attend the bill hearings, or send your support to Canadian MPPs, please visit http://supporthersheysbill.com/ to get all the details.

To attend the rally or get details on it, visit the Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-BSL/54038162966#!/events/328749180474081/

You may read the text of Bill 16 here: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet&BillID=2552

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322: Miami-Dade commissioners make move to derail bill

Please contact the bill sponsors and ask them not to stop the progress of HB 997 / SB 1322.
HB 997 filed by Rep Carlos Trujillo, carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov
SB 1322 filed by Senator Jim Norman, norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 are very simple bills that would repeal Miami-Dade County’s breed ban. The state law prohibits Florida municipalities from passing BSL or breed bans, but makes an exception for Miami-Dade’s long-standing breed ban. Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 deletes the single sentence in state law that creates the exception for Miami-Dade. If the bills passed, the county would be required to repeal their breed ban.

The two bills have been moving along their respective sides of the state legislature and appear to have a high chance of passing.

Miami-Dade County commissioners are not pleased. The majority of commissioners (though not all of them) support the breed ban and have not responded to public requests to re-examine the ban or consider repeal.

The county commissioners have now approached Rep. Trujillo, who is the sponsor of HB 997, and asked him to withdraw the bill if they put the issue to a binding public vote (meaning, the commissioners must do whatever the public decides via the ballot). The commissioners are looking into putting the issue on the ballot for August elections.

We have strong concerns about putting the Miami-Dade breed ban to a public vote. These are the same reasons why commissioners, who want to keep the ban, prefer a public vote over legislative action.

  • The general public knows very little about dogs, public safety, and the data around breed-specific laws. The public will likely rely on opinions and emotions, rather than logic, when voting on the issue.
  • “Majority rules” votes can just as easily reinforce discrimination against minority groups (e.g. “pit bull” owners), especially when those minority groups are heavily negatively stereotyped. In communities with BSL, the public tends to have stronger negative stereotypes because they have almost no positive exposure to the banned dogs and their owners.
  • Miami-Dade officials and news media outlets are generally supportive of the breed ban. They can and do influence public opinion.
  • It is not difficult to write a loaded/biased poll question. Consider the difference between “Should Miami-Dade keep its ban on pit bulls?” and “Should Miami-Dade stop discriminating against dog owners?”

HB 997 / SB 1322 remove much of the above concerns. Experts and specialists can testify before legislators, giving them data and facts on which to base their votes. Citizens who are informed and concerned can contact their legislators and express their wishes as well. Minority groups have a stronger voice in the process and are less subject to stereotype from their representatives. The legislators are also coming out of communities across the state and have been able to have a variety of both positive and negative experiences with the minority groups, giving them a broader picture and understanding of the state law’s effects.

Miami-Dade County officials claim that there is a bigger issue at play: “home rule” and their desire to make laws within their own boundaries, rather than have to play by the state’s rules. We feel that this is a red herring argument, designed to distract attention away from the breed ban. If Miami-Dade has “home rule,” it does not need an exception written into state law to allow it to keep its breed ban. HB 997 / SB 1322 are not a threat to home rule.

Please contact the bill sponsors and respectfully ask them not to stop the progress of HB 997 / SB 1322, no matter what kind of “deal” they are offered.
HB 997 filed by Rep Carlos Trujillo, carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov
SB 1322 filed by Senator Jim Norman, norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Miami-Dade commissioners are offering the legislature a bad deal that shows disrespect to state law and state lawmakers, and has the potential to perpetuate discrimination against dog owners within the county.

Online petition to Rep Trujillo (if you sign, please sign IN ADDITION TO sending an email/calling Trujillo directly–emails/phone calls are very important): http://www.change.org/petitions/rep-carlos-trujillo-florida-house-of-representatives-stand-firm-behind-house-bill-997

You may also contact the Miami-Dade commissioners, but it is unclear what effect that would have on their attempts to stop the breed ban repeal.
http://www.miamidade.gov/commiss/contact.asp

The Miami Herald has a very thorough news article here:

Ask voters if they want to repeal county pit-bull ban, Miami-Dade committee says

Some Miami-Dade commissioners said the county’s pit-bull ban should go on the August ballot — a surprise move intended to keep state lawmakers from overturning the prohibition.

BY PATRICIA MAZZEI, PMAZZEI@MIAMIHERALD.COM

[...] Diaz and Commissioner Esteban Bovo, a former state lawmaker, sent text messages during the committee meeting to Trujillo, who indicated from Tallahassee that he would stop pushing his bill if commissioners follow through on putting the pit-bull ban to voters. [...]

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/14/2641623/ask-voters-if-they-want-to-repeal.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy

West Virginia HB 4432 would prohibit breed discrimination by property insurance co

Filed this week in West Virginia, HB 4432 is a very simple bill that would prohibit declination or termination of property insurance based solely upon a home owner’s possession of a certain breed of dog. The bill does not prohibit insurers from denying coverage for any dog that has actually bitten.

Some people have had difficulty finding a place to live with their pet dog, even if it’s well-trained and well-behaved, because it looks like a breed that the property insurance company prohibits. HB 4432 would make it possible for people to get property insurance no matter what their dog looks like. However, bills like HB 4432 can be a hard sell; insurance companies have a lot of money and influence, and they don’t like being told to stop discriminating.

With things going well for BSL repeals in Ohio, Florida, and elsewhere, we feel that with enough public support, WV HB 4432 has potential to succeed.

HB 4432 has been moved to the House Banking and Insurance committee. It is not on the agenda yet. Please write the following committee members and ask them to support HB 4432.
clif.moore@wvhouse.gov; d.perry@wvhouse.gov; delegatedoug@yahoo.com; daniel.hall@wvhouse.gov; tom.azinger@wvhouse.gov; bob.ashley@wvhouse.gov; jonathan@delegatejmiller.com; ron.walters@wvhouse.gov; sam.cann@wvhouse.gov; ryan.ferns@wvhouse.gov; ron.fragale@wvhouse.gov; john.frazier@wvhouse.gov; bill.hartman@wvhouse.gov; mhunt@markahunt.com; richard.iaquinta@wvhouse.gov; virginia.mahan@wvhouse.gov; tmanchin@manchininjurylaw.com; harold@hardynet.com; delegatejim@aol.com; stan.shaver@wvhouse.gov; david.walker@wvhouse.gov; mitch.carmichael@wvhouse.gov; nelson@wvhouse.gov; john.oneal@wvhouse.gov; brian.savilla@wvhouse.gov

Read the text of WV HB 4432: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4432%20intr.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=4432

All alerts for HB 4432: http://stopbsl.com/?s=WV+HB+4432

Ohio HB 14 heads to governor

Edit 2/21/12: You are viewing an old post. HB 14 was signed into law today.

The Ohio House today passed the Senate-amended version of HB 14. It now goes to the Ohio governor for his signature, after which it will become law.

Please contact Ohio governor John Kasich and ask him to sign HB 14 into law.
http://governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

This is taking forever. Where ARE we in the process?

Don’t worry, we’re almost there! Here is an overview of HB 14′s past and (hopefully) future.
1. HB 14 was introduced. DONE.
2. HB 14 was approved by a House committee. DONE.
3. HB 14 was passed by the House. DONE.
4. HB 14 was sent to the Senate. DONE.
5. HB 14 was passed by a Senate committee. DONE.
6. HB 14 was passed by the Senate. DONE.
7. House concurred with Senate amendments. DONE.
8. HB 14 still needs to be signed by the governor.
9. HB 14 will become law and Ohio’s statewide BSL will be repealed.

HB 14 status page: http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou129.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0014?OpenDocument

What is HB 14?

HB 14 is a comprehensive dog control bill that would, among other things, repeal Ohio’s statewide BSL. The bill identifies dogs as potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious based on behavior, and proscribes restrictions on ownership of dogs with these labels. “Pit bulls” will no longer be automatically labeled vicious dogs. The full text of HB 14 can be read here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

What does HB 14 mean for Ohio?

Ohio state law currently declares ALL “pit bulls” to be “vicious dogs,” without exception. The state imposes restrictions on keeping vicious dogs/“pit bulls,” such as liability insurance and special containment rules. HB 14 revises Ohio’s current dangerous/vicious dog law significantly. It also removes the “pit bull” from automatic “vicious dog” designation.

Ohio’s state-level dog laws apply throughout the entire state, even in counties, cities, and towns. Some Ohio cities and towns do not have dog laws, and only enforce state-level laws. When a city or town regulates its dogs via state dog laws, those municipalities’ laws will change along with the state’s law if HB 14 passes.

However, many counties and cities within the state have their own set of dog ordinances in their municipal code. Those laws will not change if HB 14 passes. HB 14 does not require counties or municipalities to change their laws.

Therefore, cities and towns that have BSL now will still have BSL even if HB 14 passes. Because many cities and towns copied the breed-specific state law when writing their own dog laws, we expect Ohio to have a higher-than-average concentration of municipalities with BSL for some time. It will take time and individual attention to get BSL repealed in each of these municipalities.

Please be aware that HB 14 does not mean the end of BSL in Ohio—especially if you are moving into or traveling in the state with your pet dogs. Although HB 14 does not completely eliminate BSL in Ohio, HB 14 is a VERY positive step forward, because it makes change possible throughout the state.

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 advance to third committees

FL HB 997 / SB 1322 were each heard and passed by their respective committees today. Now they move on to a final set of committees. These bills will repeal the breed ban in Miami-Dade.

SB 1322

Florida Senate Bill 1322 passed the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and will be heard next by the Budget Committee.

Update 2/8/12: SB 1322 has been moved into the Budget Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations. Please contact the following members and ask them to pass SB 1322:
bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; evers.greg.web@flsenate.gov; smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov; storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov; thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov

You can write the following committee members and urge them to pass SB 1322:
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov; negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov; altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov; hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov; joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov; lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov; rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov; richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov; simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov; thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Status page for SB 1322: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1322

HB 997

Florida House Bill 997 passed the Community and Military Affairs committee and will be heard next by the State Affairs committee.

Please write the following committee members and ask them to pass HB 997:
Seth.McKeel@myfloridahouse.gov; Debbie.Mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Clemens@myfloridahouse.gov; Joseph.Abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov; Leonard.Bembry@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ford@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ingram@myfloridahouse.gov; Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmy.Patronis@myfloridahouse.gov; Keith.Perry@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov; Elizabeth.Porter@myfloridahouse.gov; Dwayne.Taylor@myfloridahouse.gov; Alan.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Trudi.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Dana.Young@myfloridahouse.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 on committee agendas, Feb 7

FL HB 997 / SB 1322 will each be heard by their respective committees on Feb 7. These bills will repeal Miami-Dade’s breed ban.

SB 1322

Florida Senate Bill 1322 will be heard by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on February 7 at 4:00 PM in Toni Jennings Committee Room, 110 Senate Office Building, Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/GO/

You can write the following committee members and urge them to pass SB 1322: ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

Status page for SB 1322: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1322

HB 997

Florida House Bill 997 will be heard by the Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee on February 7 at 8:00 AM in Webster Hall, 212 Knott Building, Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/meetingnotice.aspx?MeetingId=8986&SessionId=70&CommitteeId=2605

You can write the following committee members and ask them to pass HB 997:
Ritch.Workman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov; Lori.Berman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Brandes@myfloridahouse.gov; Jason.Brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; Daphne.Campbell@myfloridahouse.gov; Fred.Costello@myfloridahouse.gov; Ed.Hooper@myfloridahouse.gov; John.Julien@myfloridahouse.gov; Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov; Ronald.Renuart@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmie.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov; Charles.VanZant@myfloridahouse.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Ohio HB 14 passes Senate

Edit 2/8/12: You are viewing an old post; HB 14 has advanced. View all alerts for HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

Ohio HB 14 has passed the Senate!

Because the bill was amended in the Senate committee, HB 14 now goes back to the House (or a conference committee) so that the House can approve the amendments. If and when the House approves the Senate version, the bill will go to the governor.

We do not know at this time where the bill is going to land in the House. However, you may wish to contact the governor, in anticipation of the bill reaching his desk, and ask him to sign HB 14 into law: http://governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Wondering how your Senator voted on HB 14?
The Senate vote was 27-5.
Voted FOR HB 14: Balderson, Brown, Burke, Cafaro, Coley, Eklund, Faber, Gentile, Hite, Jones, Jordan, Kearney, LaRose, Lehner, Manning, Obhof, Oelslager, Sawyer, Schiavoni, Seitz, Skindell, Smith, Tavares, Turner, Wagoner, Widener, Niehaus.
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Bacon, Beagle, Hughes, Patton, and Schaffer.

Wondering how your House Representative voted on HB 14?
The House vote was 69-29.
Voted FOR HB 14: Adams R., Amstutz, Ashford, Balderson, Beck, Blair, Blessing, Brenner, Bubp, Budish, Burke, Butler, Carey, Celeste, Combs, Conditt, Damschroder, Derickson, Dovilla, Duffey, Fedor, Fende, Gardner, Garland,Gentile, Gerberry, Gonzales, Goodwin, Goyal, Grossman, Hackett, Hagan C., Hayes, Hottinger, Huffman, Johnson, Kozlowski, Landis, Letson, Luckie, Lundy, Maag, Mallory, McClain, McGregor, McKenney, Milkovich, Murray, O’Brien, Okey, Patmon, Peterson, Phillips, Pillich, Rosenberger, Ruhl, Schuring, Sears, Slaby, Sprague, Stautberg, Stebelton, Stinziano, Szollosi, Uecker, Wachtmann, Winburn, Young, Batchelder
Voted AGAINST HB 14: Adams J., Anielski, Antonio, Baker, Barnes, Boose, Buchy, Carney, Clyde, DeGeeter, Driehaus, Foley, Hagan R., Hall, Heard, Henne, Hollington, Martin, Mecklenborg, Newbold, Ramos, Reece, Roegner, Slesnick, Sykes, Thompson, Weddington, Williams, Yuko

Tracking page for OH HB 14: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_14

All posts about Ohio HB 14: http://stopbsl.com/?s=ohio+hb+14

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 passes initial subcommittees

This week, Florida House Bill 997 and companion Senate Bill 1322 were approved by their initial subcommittees. These bills would repeal Miami-Dade’s breed ban.

SB 1322 will be considered next by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability committee. You can write the following committee members and urge them to pass SB 1322:
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov; siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov; bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov; dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov; margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov; montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov; wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

HB 997 will either be considered next by the Community and Military Affairs subcommittee, or the State Affairs committee. You can contact the following committee members and ask them to pass HB 997:

Community and Military Affairs
Ritch.Workman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jose.Diaz@myfloridahouse.gov; Lori.Berman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Brandes@myfloridahouse.gov; Jason.Brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; Matt.Caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; Daphne.Campbell@myfloridahouse.gov; Fred.Costello@myfloridahouse.gov; Ed.Hooper@myfloridahouse.gov; John.Julien@myfloridahouse.gov; Mark.Pafford@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Randolph@myfloridahouse.gov; Ronald.Renuart@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmie.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov; Charles.VanZant@myfloridahouse.gov

State Affairs
Seth.McKeel@myfloridahouse.gov; Debbie.Mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov; Jeff.Clemens@myfloridahouse.gov; Joseph.Abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov; Leonard.Bembry@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ford@myfloridahouse.gov; Clay.Ingram@myfloridahouse.gov; Rick.Kriseman@myfloridahouse.gov; Jimmy.Patronis@myfloridahouse.gov; Keith.Perry@myfloridahouse.gov; Scott.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov; Elizabeth.Porter@myfloridahouse.gov; Dwayne.Taylor@myfloridahouse.gov; Alan.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Trudi.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov; Dana.Young@myfloridahouse.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Status page for SB 1322:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/1322

Read the text of the proposed bill: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0997__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0997&Session=2012

Florida HB 997 / SB 1322 on committee agenda, Jan 31

Florida House Bill 997 will be heard by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on January 31 at 3:30 PM in Reed Hall (Room 102 House Office Building), Florida Capitol Complex, Tallahassee.

Read the hearing notice and/or make a request to appear at the meeting here: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/meetingnotice.aspx?MeetingId=8958

HB 997 and its companion Senate Bill 1322 are very simple bills that will force Miami-Dade to repeal its longstanding breed ban and comply with Florida state law (which prohibits municipalities from having BSL).

Please contact the committee members and urge them to pass HB 997. (Email block for cut-and-paste.)
Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Michelle.Rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov; jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov; jason.brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; dwight.bullard@myfloridahouse.gov; matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; luis.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov; richard.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov; tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov; steve.perman@myfloridahouse.gov; ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov; elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov; franklin.sands@myfloridahouse.gov; jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

You can also contact your Florida legislators and ask them to support this bill.

Please thank the sponsors for filing this important bill.
HB 997 filed by Rep Carlos Trujillo, carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov
SB 1322 filed by Senator Jim Norman, norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Status page for HB 997: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=48233

Read the text of the proposed bill: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0997__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0997&Session=2012