Tennessee Action Alert

HB 386 Commercial Breeder Act introduced by Rep. Janis Sontany (D, Nashville) is scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee on 4/29.

BILL SYNOPSIS

HB 386 classifies as a commercial breeder any person who possesses or maintains twenty (20) or more adult female dogs in whole or in part for the purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. Requires background checks before license can be granted. Although not written in the bill, it has been confirmed that engineering standards will be used for facilities.

* TALKING POINTS *

* HB 386 assumes that an owner of 20 or more dogs or cats isn’t capable of managing and maintaining their animals in good health without state intervention. Numerical limits should not be used as the basis of legislation as numbers do not equate to the level of care a dog or cat receives.

* HB 386 calls for high license fees that could be easily increased.

* Background checks are required in order to obtain a license, treating dog/cat breeders as if they are potential criminals.

* It is already law that sales tax must be collected on puppy sales; creating and funding a huge regulatory scheme on breeders in order to collect tax is unnecessary and extreme.

* Enforcement of existing tax law and animal welfare laws are sufficient and new laws are not needed.

* Tennessee is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall. It is irresponsible to add approximately six million dollars to the budget to fund an inspection program that might cover a few hundred dog breeders.

ACTION NEEDED NOW! PLEASE CALL, FAX, AND EMAIL HOUSE JUSTICE COMMITTEE AND OPPOSE HB 386:

Rep. Kent Coleman (D, 49) – Chair
Phone (615) 741-6829 / Fax (615) 253-0332
rep.kent.coleman@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Jon Lundberg (R, Bristol) – Vice Chair
Phone (615) 741-7623 / Fax (615) 253-0272
rep.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Eddie Bass (D, 65)
Phone (615) 741-1864 / Fax (615) 741-1005
rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Karen D. Camper (D, 87)
Phone (901) 315-8899
Phone: (615) 741-1898
rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Vance Dennis (R, 71)
Phone: (615) 741-2190 / Fax: (615) 253-0377
rep.vance.dennis@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Henry Fincher (D,42) Vice Chair
Phone (615) 741-1875
rep.henry.fincher@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Brian Kelsey (R,83), Chair
Phone (901) 522-9000
Phone (615) 741-4415 / Fax (615) 253-0349

rep.brian.kelsey@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Mike Stewart (D, 52)
Phone: (615) 741-2184
rep.mike.stewart@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Chad Faulkner (R, 36)
Phone: (615) 741-3335
rep.chad.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Judd Matheny (R, 47)
Phone (615) 741-7448 / Fax (615) 253-0226
rep.judd.matheny@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Eric Watson (R, 22)
Phone (615) 741-7799 / Fax (615) 253-0252
rep.eric.watson@capitol.tn.gov

Additional talking points and contact information are available on the SAOVA website http://www.saova.org/Tennessee2.html