Update on HB 2833

[jls41]

LSWDA's lobbyist has been a busy guy since the Falzone/LSWDA Working Dog Preservation bill was filed and received a number a week ago today, now known as HB 2833.  He has been meeting with many different Representatives speaking on behalf of this bill.  HB 2833 was referred to the Committee of Agriculture & Livestock today. Which was where we were hoping it would be referred.  This is great news!!  A hearing with this Committee will be the next step and should be scheduled in the near future.  We will let you know of that date and time as soon as we learn when that is.  From what we are hearing, we have a good bill and support for it is being gained daily.

LSWDA would like to thank our lobbyist for all his hard work this last week and appreciate all of the work he will be doing for us with this bill in the future!!  We also thank each of you for your calls made and emails, letters, and faxes sent as well.  Your support is definitely appreciated!!

[catchrcall]

That's right folks, HB2833 is alive and well, and so far it only continues to gather support in Austin.  It and you people who have called, written and emailed are making waves in Austin, and your voices are being heard loud and clear by those that represent you.  Many of them seem to understand that this bill is intended to be a lasting piece of legislation, so that we don't have to continue to fight the anti's on a bill by bill basis every single legislative session, and can gain some real ground in our fight to preserve our rights to own and work dogs.  We now have two groups to focus on.  Members of the house Agriculture and Livestock committee, and Senators.  We need to continue voicing our support to both.

LSWDA's lobbyist has been busting his tail working for us.  Without his effort and guidance we would not be as far along as we are.   Thank you sir, for all your hard work. 

Here are the members of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee

Position Member
Chair: Rep. Rick Hardcastle
Vice Chair: Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson
Members: Rep. Charlie F. Howard
 Rep. Bryan Hughes
 Rep. Jason Isaac
 Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt
 Rep. Jim Landtroop
 Rep. J. M. Lozano
 Rep. Borris Miles

[uglydog]

Thank You to all that have supported and made the effort on this! "We the people" is what comes to mind when I think of all the accomplishments and how they have come about!

Lets keep the momentum rolling forward!

[Doggie]

Come on folks "our voices" are being heard.  Let's keep it up. KEEP contacting your senators and let the AG and Livestock committee know where we stand.  I would like to thank the efforts and dedication of LSWDA's lobbyist he is working hard to help all who are working dog people.  Lance, cant help but THANK YOU again!  YOU are the reason, and the author, of an outstanding piece of legislation that ALL DOG hunters need to speak up and support.    PS Cleatus would have made you proud last week the sucker hunted his butt off and even barked a couple of times 

[jls41]

Spoke with the lobbyist on Friday night for an update. He stated that HB 2833 should be released from LegCouncil sometime this week. We will then need to get with the Ag & Livestock Committee to schedule the hearing. Most likely the hearing will be on a Tuesday.  We will announce the hearing date and time as soon as we get it scheduled.
We are moving along on this!!

[zachW]

where can you view the draft that was sumitted before the council edits it this week?

[catchrcall]

There ya go.

By: White H.B. No. 2833
 
 
   A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
   AN ACT
   relating to the classification and care of working dogs.
          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
          SECTION 1.  DEFINITION.  In this Act a "working dog" means:
                (1)  A dog used primarily for the purpose of driving, 
   tending, locating, working, or protecting stock to include domestic 
   and feral stock, swine and exotics;
                (2)  A dog used for police, military, substance 
   detection, protection, search, rescue or recovery purposes;
                (3)  A dog used as a service, assistance or therapy 
   animal;
                (4)  A dog used to locate, retrieve, or capture an 
   animal, or used in the recovery of wounded or dead animals;
                (5)  A dog that is in training for any of the above 
   purposes;
                (6)  The definition does not rely upon where the dog 
   lives, or its breed, but its primary use;
          SECTION 2.  A dog that is defined as a "working dog" is not 
   considered a pet and will be exempt from laws intended to apply to 
   pets.
                (2)  A working dog will not be subject to laws:
          (a)  Requiring mandatory spay or neuter;
          (b)  Restricting or requiring permits for the number of 
   animals an owner may possess, regardless of reproductive status;
          (c)  Restricting how the dog may be housed;
          (d)  Requiring additional insurance due to weight, breed, 
   sex, or reproductive status of the dog;
          (e)  Restricting breeds that may be kept by the owner.
          SECTION 3.  Section 42.09, Penal Code applies to the care of 
   working dogs.
          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

[jls41]

HB 2833 is ALIVE & DOING WELL at the Legislative level!!  It now has a hearing scheduled with the Agriculture and Livestock Committee!!!!  The hearing will be Tuesday, April 12, 2011, 8am as of right now.  If there are any changes in schedule, LSWDA will let everyone know!!!

[jls41]

LSWDA reps will be testifying before this committee on that day.  You can help by contacting the House Agriculture & Livestock Committee members and telling them to SUPPORT HB 2833!!  I will get the list of members and all of their contact information posted in the morning if not sooner!!  Faxes and phone calls are the best!!

[uglydog]

 

[jls41]

Here is the list of the Committee Members of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee as well as a link to their webpage.  Please send them a faxed letter or just call them and ask that they SUPPORT HB 2833!!

http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/committee/?committee=020&session=81


Rep. Rick Hardcastle (Chair)
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0526
(512) 463-6003 Fax


Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson (Vice Chair)
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0135
(512) 463-0642 Fax


Rep. Charlie Howard
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0710
(512) 463-0711 Fax

 
Rep. Bryan Hughes
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0271
(512) 463-1515 Fax


Rep. Jason Isaac
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0647
(512) 463-3573 Fax


Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0682
(512) 463-9955 Fax


Rep. Jim Landtroop
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0604
(512) 463-5244 Fax


Rep. Jose Manuel Lozano
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0463
(512) 463-1765 Fax


Rep. Borris Miles
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0518
(512) 463-0941 Fax

[BarrNinja]

I'm on it! Thanks for posting the names and contact numbers!

[djhogdogger]

Just called everyone. It was really easy and everyone i spoke with was very nice. I sure hope that this helps out! This is a great thing that yall are doing and im glad to be a small part of it.

[jls41]

Thanks Ninja and DJ!!!  You have no idea how much we appreciate your help with this...without each of your voices, our bill would have fallen on deaf ears!!!  

[uglydog]

So glad those that are making these contacts are taking the time, It makes a difference and we ALL NEED TO KEEP ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

[uglydog]

Anybody as an individual can go sit in and show support and sign a card supporting this bill in person, and it will become part of pulic record FOR this bill, anybody that can make it to the Austin Capitol in the morning should go!

[jls41]

You are exactly right Uglydog!!!  We welcome anyone that can attend the hearing tomorrow to please do so!!!  The more support we show for this bill the better!!

Here are some guidlines for the hearing and testifying if you chose to do so:

When you arrive at the committee hearing, you should locate (generally at the table at the back of the room) a witness affirmation card and fill it out. If you are the designated spokesman for a particular group or organization, then designate that, otherwise, just put that you represent yourself. You should check the box stating that you are FOR the bill and that you WISH TO TESTIFY.

I would suggest that you write your comments down exactly like you wish to say them and bring 10 copies with you. Typed, double spaced comments of a single page should be just about right.  If there are a lot of witnesses, we may reach a time when we will ask witnesses to simply state their name and the fact that they support the bill and in the interest of time you would like to provide written testimony and would be happy to answer any questions.

When the members quit asking questions they have heard enough and it's time to move on. We can do more damage to our own bill by talking to long than by what the opposition says.

Testimony should be short and very articulate. No more than three (3) minutes under any circumstances.

Your testimony should be very objective and explain exactly why this is a good bill. For example: "Working dogs are bred, raised and trained for extremely specialized jobs and require very special handling and treatment."  If there is a good - short example of exactly how or why your dogs are treated differently, please give it.

When your name is called (the order of testimony is random) walk to the mic and state your name, who you represent and that you are in favor of the bill.
Example:
"Mr. Chairman, members, my name is ____________, I represent myself (and /or organization) and I am in favor of this bill." Then proceed with your testimony, OR SAY, "In the interest of time I have reduced my comments to writing and would like to submit them. I would be happy to answer any questions."

 

**The committee will meet at 8 am in E1.014. This room is in the Capitol Extension (Floor E1 in the elevator or down two flights of stairs from the level you walk in on). It's the same level as the Capitol Grill.

 

I would suggest that men wear a sport coat and tie or suit and that ladies wear dresses or nice suits. Image is important and we want to present ourselves as professionals.

 

[uglydog]

I hope folks are reading and will make the effort to just be present!

[BarrNinja]

I wish I could go!

 A big THANK YOU to the good folks that are going to represent and support this bill!