Date: 02/02/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1057

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Move Amendment L.002 (Attachment I). The motion p
Refer HB 06-1057, as amended, to the Committee on 		Pass Without Objection
PASS


02:44 PM -- House Bill 06-1057

Representative Stafford, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of HB 06-1157. The bill increases the penalties for conviction of aggravated animal cruelty offenses. In addition, the bill prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning an animal thereafter. The bill also amends the definition of "dangerous dog" and increases the penalty for owning a dangerous dog that injures or kills someone. Finally, the bill requires doctors to report dog bite injuries, under certain circumstances, to law enforcement. Committee members were provided with Amendments L.001 (Attachment H) and L.002 (Attachment I). The sponsor stated that the bill was intended to create stronger consequences for irresponsible dog owners, and it will help protect responsible dog owners. She responded to questions from the committee.

The following people testified on the bill:

02:57 PM -- Ms. Janet Stephens, representing the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs, spoke in support of the bill and L.002 for the reasons cited by the bill sponsor.

02:59 PM -- Ms. Marci Grebing, representing the American Canine Association, spoke in support of the bill and L.002. She indicated that the bill is a good follow-up to previous dangerous dog legislation passed in Colorado.

03:01 PM -- Ms. Christine Garcia, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill and shared her experience as a dog owner following the passage of a breed-specific ban in her area. The sponsor commented, noting that this is an example of the type of owner that should be protected, not targeted. Ms. Garcia responded to comments from the committee.

03:09 PM -- Ms. Martha Smith, representing the Colorado Federation of Animal Welfare Agencies, spoke in support of the bill because it strengthens agencies' ability to deal with dangerous dogs and because it does not permit dangerous dogs to have one free bite before corrective action is taken.

03:10 PM -- Ms. Tina Villani, representing the American Canine Foundation, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee. Discussion ensued regarding changes the bill makes to current law and how Colorado law compares to other states.

03:16 PM -- Ms. Sonya Dias, representing Pit Bull BAND (Breed Awareness--Not Discrimination), spoke in support of the bill because it places responsibility on dog owners. She explained that some people select a breed because of its reputation as a killer.


03:20 PM

The chairman closed public testimony, and the committee began considering amendments.
BILL:HB06-1057
TIME: 03:20:41 PM
MOVED:Clapp
MOTION:Move Amendment L.002 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Hefley
VOTE
Boyd
Clapp
Decker
Gardner
Hefley
Jahn
Judd
McGihon
Witwer
Carroll M.
Carroll T.
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


03:22 PM

The sponsor made closing comments on the bill. Committee members commented.
BILL:HB06-1057
TIME: 03:23:32 PM
MOVED:Hefley
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1057, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion carried on a vote of 9-2.
SECONDED:Clapp
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Clapp
Yes
Decker
Yes
Gardner
No
Hefley
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Judd
Yes
McGihon
No
Witwer
Yes
Carroll M.
Yes
Carroll T.
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS