SR255: SR255 Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices; create

25 LC 57 0245 Senate Resolution 255 By: Senators Summers of the 13th, Robertson of the 29th, Gooch of the 51st, Kennedy of the 18th, Walker III of the 20th and others ADOPTED SENATE A RESOLUTION Creating the Senate Study Committee on Combating Unscrupulous C ompanion Animal1 Breeding Practices; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding may include pup py mills in3 commercial breeding facilities and backyard breeding operations; and4 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding is the practice of breeding animals5 for financial gain without regard for the animal's health or well-being; and6 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding negatively impa cts taxpayers who7 often bear the burden of cleanup costs when breeding operations are busted and causes8 financial strain on existing animal shelters and rescue organizations; and9 WHEREAS, stray and feral animal populations can pose a public s afety threat to humans10 with increases in dog bites or attacks, pack behavior in stray dogs, and damage to property11 and livestock, and they are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents; and12 S. R. 255 - 1 - 25 LC 57 0245 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding contributes to an increase in unowned13 and stray animals and can lead to disease and infection outbrea ks among stray and feral14 animal populations and poses a threat to local ecosystems; and15 WHEREAS, despite state and local laws regulating animal breeding, enforcement remains16 inconsistent and additional education and research on best practices are needed; and17 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeders may not comply with appropriate18 licensing or permitting requirements; and19 WHEREAS, companion animals raised by these breeders often suffer from inhumane living20 conditions, physical and mental health conditions, and lack of socialization and are often21 victims of illegal puppy trading; and 22 WHEREAS, companion animals raised by these breeders are more li kely to experience23 animal suffering and euthanasia; and 24 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding can foster beha vioral problems in25 companion animals, which can lead to companion animal abandonment and abuse; and26 WHEREAS, unscrupulous companion animal breeding can negatively impact neighborhood27 communities and often burden local authorities; and28 WHEREAS, a study committee is needed to establish informed reco mmendations on29 reducing or preventing unscrupulous companion animal breeding to ensure humane treatment30 of animals in breeding practices in this state.31 S. R. 255 - 2 - 25 LC 57 0245 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:32 (1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee33 on Combating Unscrupulous Companion Animal Breeding Practices.34 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the35 Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The Pre sident shall designate a36 legislative member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.37 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,38 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or39 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.40 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee41 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or42 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and43 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.44 (5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive45 the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Offic ial Code of Georgia46 Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any47 member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. 48 Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds49 appropriated to the Senate.50 (6) Report.51 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that52 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the53 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to54 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.55 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for56 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)57 of this paragraph.58 S. R. 255 - 3 - 25 LC 57 0245 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of59 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 60 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with61 the Secretary of the Senate.62 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary63 of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.64 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.65 S. R. 255 - 4 -