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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28
INTRODUCED BY M. MACDONALD
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF REGULATION AND OVERSIGHT OF DOG BREEDING FACILITIES.
WHEREAS, legislative attempts to address dog breeding facilities have failed in 2011, 2009, 2007, and 2005; and
WHEREAS, the counties of Yellowstone, Carbon, Toole, Silver Bow, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Musselshell, Rosebud, Fallon, Roosevelt, Cascade, Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson have all had large-scale small animal cases that negatively impacted the budgets of counties and county sheriffs; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, costs of cleaning up just one substandard facility in Ballantine cost Yellowstone County more than $250,000 and tens of thousands of dollars of in-kind and volunteer donations; and
WHEREAS, there is currently no oversight, inspection, licensing, or required minimum standards for Montana's dog breeding facilities; and
WHEREAS, failure to pass meaningful laws regarding commercial dog breeders could result in Montana becoming a magnet for owners of substandard facilities who are fleeing from states with stronger laws; and
WHEREAS, states are increasingly addressing these issues through various examples of model legislation, including puppy "lemon" laws, minimum facility standards, state licensing and inspection for large breeding facilities, and other means of prevention and oversight.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, to study regulation of dog breeding facilities in Montana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee designated to conduct the study:
(1) examine model legislation and laws in other states that provide for regulation and oversight of dog breeding facilities;
(2) review the previous legislative attempts to provide for regulation and oversight of dog breeding facilities in Montana and determine why those attempts failed;
(3) consult with and solicit information from representatives of the dog breeding industry, consumers, animal shelter operators, law enforcement, local governments, and members of the public; and
(4) develop findings, recommendations, and, if appropriate, legislation providing for regulation and oversight of dog breeding facilities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study be concluded prior to September 15, 2012.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study be reported to the 63rd Legislature.
- END -
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