2015 Florida Legislative Session
ARFF needs your help encouraging the Florida Legislature to act to protect animals from cruelty. The 2015 Legislative Session will begin on March 3. This year in Tallahassee, lawmakers will consider several important animal protection bills.
You Can Help
Please contact your state senator and state representative, let them know
you are a constituent and ask them to
support the bills described here (you may want to address only one bill or issue
in each letter or phone call).
To find your elected officials, visit www.flsenate.gov/senators/find
May 1 is the last day of the Session.
• Greyhound Racing Injuries (SB 2 and HB 129)
Senate Bill 2, introduced by Senator Eleanor Sobel, and House Bill 129,
introduced by Representative Jared Moskowitz, would require Florida’s
Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering to maintain records of greyhounds injured
while racing. Most states that have dog tracks require that racing injuries
be publicly reported. Only Florida and Alabama do not. SB 2/HB 129 would
increase transparency about the greyhound racing industry. In addition,
the legislation would save greyhound lives. In states where injury reporting
laws have been approved the number of greyhounds euthanized has declined.
ARFF strongly supports this legislation that would provide Floridians with important information about a state-regulated industry.
• Greyhound decoupling
ARFF is hopeful that 2015 will be the year that legislation will pass
to remove the requirement that dog tracks conduct live racing in order
to also offer slots or poker. If passed, dog tracks in Florida would almost
certainly choose to reduce or end live racing to focus on more profitable
forms of gambling. There is wide support for "decoupling" among
operators of dog tracks and among Floridians concerned about the welfare
of racing greyhounds.
Decoupling will likely be considered as part of a larger gambling bill, not as a separate measure. Please contact your state legislators and urge them to support decoupling greyhound racing from other forms of gambling.
• Disposition of impounded livestock (SB 420 and HB 627)
Senate Bill 420, introduced by Senator Denise Grimsley, and House Bill
627, introduced by Representatives Jennifer Sullivan and Ray Pilon, would
remove the requirement that livestock impounded by animal control or a
law enforcement agency be offered for sale at auction. The bill would
allow horses, cows, goats and other livestock to be adopted or disposed
of humanely.
• Racing Animals (SB 226 and HB 239)
Senate Bill 226, introduced by Senator Jack Latvala, and House Bill 239,
introduced by Representatives Heather Fitzenhagen and Charlie Stone, would
clarify the prohibition on the use of banned drugs or other substances
by racing horses and dogs.
The abuse of painkillers and other drugs can contribute to fatal accidents. ARFF supports strengthening laws against the nontherapeutic use of drugs at horse and dog tracks in Florida.
•
Illegal Ivory Articles and Rhinoceros Horns (SB 1120)
Senate Bill 1120, introduced by Senator Thad Altman, would prohibit the
sale, purchase and distribution of any item containing elephant ivory
or rhino horn in Florida.
State legislation would complement federal enforcement efforts and help to crack down on the illegal wildlife trade.
•
Pets' Trust Act (SB 670 and HB 207)
Senate Bill 670, introduced by Senator Dwight Bullard, and House Bill
207, introduced by Representative Barbara Watson, would authorize counties
to create special taxing districts ("Pets' Trusts") to provide
funding for spay/neuter and other animal care programs.