Georgia CommonsHB 331: Animals; prohibit transfer of certain domestic animals at certain locations
Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action May 9, 2025 · Passed
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 331 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Camp of the 135th, Hagan of the 156th, Gullett of the 19th, Cameron of the 1st, New of the 40th, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding animal protection, so as to prohibit the transfer of certain domestic animals at certain locations; to provide for exceptions; to provide for enforcement; to provide for penalties; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions regarding animal protection, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"4-11-10.1.
(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Consideration' means anything of value, including, but not limited to, cash, credit, electronic payment, services, or any type of property or interest in property. A transaction shall be deemed to be 'for consideration' if it occurs in connection with any payment of consideration or other commercial transaction, including, but not limited to, a sale, adoption, rehoming, lease, trade, exchange, swap, or barter transaction.
(2) 'Transfer' means a transaction in which for consideration a dog, cat, or domestic rabbit, or any interest in any such animal, is exchanged, offered to be exchanged, or advertised for a commercial purpose.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the transfer of any dog, cat, or domestic rabbit at any roadside, public right of way, parkway, median, public or commercial parking lot or sidewalk, park, recreation area, fair, transient or seasonal flea market, or a similar transient market or outdoor location, regardless of whether such activity is otherwise authorized by any person or entity.
(c) This Code section shall not apply to:
(1) The transfer of any dog, cat, or domestic rabbit by a person or entity that has and produces upon request, whether in paper, electronic, or other form, a valid animal shelter license issued by the department;
(2) Any transfer that takes place at a residence or inside of a veterinarian's office or other business establishment;
(3) The transfer of any dog, cat, or domestic rabbit by a paid entrant as part of an event or show sanctioned by a national breed club or association, 4-H program, or similar agricultural exhibition; or
(4) The prearranged transfer between a dog, cat, or domestic rabbit seller and a specific purchaser that takes place at a police department, sheriff's office, or other similar law enforcement facility during daylight hours, unless otherwise prohibited.
(d) An animal control officer who is an employee of state or local government or any sheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer is authorized to enforce the provisions of this Code section and to impound any animal subject to a transfer in violation of this Code section.
(e) A person found guilty of violating this Code section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed:
(1) For the first offense, $100.00;
(2) For the second offense, $250.00; and
(3) For a third or subsequent offense, $500.00."
SECTION 2.
Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 4-11-16, relating to penalties, as follows:
"4-11-16.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 4-11-10.1, 16-12-4, or 16-12-37, any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Code Section 17-10-3; provided, however, that, if such offense is committed by a corporation, such corporation shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 for each such violation, community service of not less than 200 hours nor more than 500 hours, or both.
(b) Each violation of this article shall constitute a separate offense."
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.