04/10/1996 02:05 PM Senate CRA

                                                                               
                CSHB 386(JUD) CRUELTY TO ANIMALS                              
                                                                              
 SENATOR TORGERSON brought HB 386 before the committee as the final            
 order of business.  He directed attention to a draft SCS that                 
 contains a new Section 2, which adds animal husbandry practice and            
 a new Section 4, which defines cruelty to animals as it relates to            
 the care of animals by farmers.                                               
                                                                               
 Number 155                                                                    
                                                                               
 JIM ELLISON, a North Pole farmer testifying from the Fairbanks LIO,           
 stated his strong support for the language in Section 2, as well as           
 Section 4.                                                                    
                                                                               
 Number 165                                                                    
                                                                               
 ART GRISWOLD, a North Pole farmer testifying from the Fairbanks               
 LIO, said he believes the bill is realistic and covers what is                
 necessary.  The amendments will make the difference in the                    
 practicality of the application of the law.                                   
                                                                               
 Number 173                                                                    
                                                                               
 BOB FRANKLIN, State President of the Alaska Farm Bureau testifying            
 from Fairbanks, said the agricultural community statewide                     
 definitely needs the definition of cruelty to and care of animals             
 by farmers.  He said anytime a statute is amended that gives more             
 regulation authority to a individual entity like the animal                   
 control, then it is necessary to define exactly what their                    
 perimeters of jurisdiction are.                                               
                                                                               
 Number 190                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TORGERSON clarified that Representative Grussendorf came              
 forward with the amendment, and that his staff worked hard with a             
 lot of people to try to find a neutral ground to help in the                  
 passage of the legislation.                                                   
                                                                               
 Number 250                                                                    
 BILL WARD, testifying from Kenai, said he believes the amendment to           
 the legislation is appropriate and worthwhile to consider.                    
 However, he does have some concern that some animal control                   
 officers in the local municipalities might not necessarily be                 
 qualified to really interpret what proper care is.  Also, the                 
 municipalities may enact some local ordinances that would conflict            
 with state regulations or be actual contradictions of state                   
 regulations.                                                                  
                                                                               
 Number 300                                                                    
                                                                               
 There being no further testimony on HB 386, SENATOR TORGERSON asked           
 for the pleasure of the committee.                                            
                                                                               
 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS moved SCS CSHB 386(CRA) be adopted.  Hearing           
 no objection, the Chairman stated the motion carried.                         
                                                                               
 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS moved SCS  CSHB 386(CRA) be passed out of              
 committee with individual recommendations.  Hearing no objection,             
 it was so ordered.