Page 1 of 330 The Monthly National Legislation Report 7/5/2010 ...

The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 23 of 3307/5/2010lawsuit and that it is an attempt to keep voters of Missouri from being able to speak to this issue." Thrasher bit back. "Oh no," she said, "it is not frivolous. This measure violates theconstitution of the State of Missouri. It restricts the right to free enterprise." So both sides of the argument, and voters, will have to just wait to see if it makes it onto the ballot.NEVADAReno – (5/29/10) – Charges considered in death of 83 wild horses. A Nevada district attorney is considering whether to file criminal charges against federal land managers who areaccused by animal rights activists of mistreating wild horses in a roundup. Churchill County Sheriff Richard Ingram said his department began an investigation May 20 after an activist filed acomplaint alleging that mustangs were abused and neglected at a holding facility. Ingram said his investigation report, submitted late Thursday, makes no recommendations and cites a statelaw that makes "failure to provide proper sustenance" to animals illegal. "We determined there was water and food provided and a veterinarian at the scene," the sheriff said. "Now, the DAwill make a determination as to whether or not the care being provided is sufficient under the law."NEW HAMPSHIREBudget Bills Propose Major Change in NH Spay/Neuter Program(5/20/10) - NH LEGISLATIVE “ACTION NEEDED” UPDATEThe current versions of the House’s and Senate’s budget balancing bills (SB 450 and HB1128) contain provisions to eliminate the position of Animal Population Control Assistant andrequire the Commissioner of Agriculture to put administration of the program out to bid for a contract not to exceed $20,000 a year, and allow the department to charge the program nomore than $5,000 a year for administrative oversight. Currently, a full-time employee of the NH Dept. of Agriculture administers all aspects of the program.- The NH Veterinary Medical Association is opposed to this change in the program. Over 100 veterinarians participate in the program. They have indicated that many of theparticipating veterinarians will not participate in the program if it is handled by an independent contractor due to the potential for compromising privacy and the costs of adapting toa new paperwork process.- A major concern is the lack of effective financial and confidential information controls if using an independent contractor. Veterinarians provide proprietary information about their feesto participate in the program and individuals provide their social security number and financial information to qualify for the program.- NH’s animal control population (spay/neuter) program was instituted in July, 1995. It is has been the model for other states and is considered “the gold standard” of programs. It isextremely successful, highly respected and trusted. Placing the program with an independent contractor, even if it was a large humane society, would disrupt the program’sadministration, be more costly and undermine the credibility of the program.- Currently, Vermont uses a contractor to administer their animal population control program. They have had issues and problems with security and confidentiality of personalinformation. Vermont indicates that there will be more complaints and questions for the NH Department of Agriculture to handle if a contractor is used. Furthermore, Vermont hashad only one applicant who has come close to meeting the contract qualifications—at a cost more than double the proposed amendment’s maximum of $20,000 annually. NH’sprogram is 50% larger than Vermont’s. Vermont indicates that there will be more complaints and questions for the NH Department of Agriculture to handle if a contractor is used.- The NH Animal Population Control Program is funded by dog licensing fees. Every year since its inception, the funds have been expended. Using an independent contractorresulted in Vermont having to raise more funds to administer the program that didn’t go to spaying/neutering cats and dogs.The provisions are contained in Sections 33-35 of SB 450. A copy of SB 450 can be found at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/SB0450.htmlSTATUS: During the upcoming week, a conference committee of Senators and Representatives will try to come to agreement on what to take out or keep in SB 450. For the time being,action on HB 1128 has been suspended since the House non concurred with the Senate amendments.ACTION NEEDEDSeveral members of the House Finance Committee now recognize the folly of this provision. Our Senators need to be better informed about how this provision would undermine this valuableand successful program. SB 450 will bePlease send a note to the members of the Senate listed below and ask them to work with the Senate conference committee members to remove these provisions from the 2010budget bill (SB 450). In your note mention two or three of the reasons listed above.Jacalyn L. Cilley2 Oak Hill RoadBarrington, NH 03825-3820jacalyn.cilley@leg.state.nh.usSheila Roberge83 Olde Lantern RoadBedford, NH 03110-4816sheila.roberge@leg.state.nh.usAmanda Merrill8 Meadow RoadDurham, NH 03824-3006Amanda.Merrill@leg.state.nh.usBob OdellPO Box 23Lempster, NH 03605-0023bob.odell@leg.state.nh.usJohn Gallus292 Prospect StreetBerlin, NH 03570-2137john.gallus@leg.state.nh.usHarold Janeway225 Tyler RoadWebster, NH 03303-7733harold.janeway@leg.state.nh.usKathleen Sgambati25 Pine StreetTilton, NH 03276-5535kathleen.sgambati@leg.state.nh.usMORE “DOGS” INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: http://nhdogs.org/ and on our social networking sites at http://twitter.com/NHDogshttp://www.facebook.com/pages/NH-DOGS/262370784858