SB 1417

The California Legislature has recently introduced a bill, SB 1417, which would seriously curtail both the formation of humane societies and their ability to appoint certified humane officers. Organizations like ACI, which is a private, nonprofit SPCA, would be put out of business if this bill is allowed to pass. Unfortunately, there are some powerful backers of this bill including the Sheriff's Association and this bill has already gained traction, but we can stop it with your help. Please act before Tuesday, June 22 when it's scheduled for the Assembly Judicial Committee. If passed there, it will go to the state Senate floor.

What does SB 1417 Do?
SB 1417 amends the current law, which has been in existence for over 100 years. The bill was introduced by a conservative county in California seeking to limit the power of those sworn to protect animals.

The bill sets up an arbitrary five-year "wait" time before a humane society (or SPCA) may even appoint a qualified humane officer. SB 1417 also creates adversarial objection processes at a Humane Society's or SPCA's incorporation and at the officer appointment stages. Both of these amendments to California's existing humane laws are crippling to any private organization that wants to incorporate and employ humane law enforcement officers.

Now is not the time to limit private Humane Societies and SPCAs from forming! Animal Control Organizations' resources are already stretched very thin and with the recent economic downturn, budgets are being slashed. From their own admission, public Humane Societies need the help of private SPCAs to investigate and prosecute abusers of animals, which is what ACI does.

If this law passes, enforcement of California's animal anti-cruelty laws will be seriously impacted. Proposition 2, also called the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which was overwhelmingly passed by the people of California, will become meaningless if private Humane Officers aren't allowed to enforce suspected infringements. Even crimes that are abhorred by the majority of the public, such as cockfighting and dog fighting, will have the room to flourish under this new legislation.

How can you help?

California residents: Please contact your Assemblymember and all members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee respectfully urging them to vote in the best interests of California's animals by opposing SB 1417 unless its unnecessary and arbitrary 5-year waiting period on the appointment of new humane officers, as well as the adversarial objection processes, are removed for any newly incorporating Humane Societies or SPCAs.

Assembly Committee on Judiciary

Mike Feuer - Chair
(916) 319-2042
Assemblymember.Feuer@assembly.ca.gov

Van Tran - Vice Chair
(916) 319-2068
Assemblymember.tran@assembly.ca.gov

Julia Brownley
(916) 319-2041
Assemblymember.Brownley@assembly.ca.gov

Noreen Evans
(916) 319-2007
Assemblymember.Evans@assembly.ca.gov

Curt Hagman
(916) 319-2060
Assemblymember.Hagman@assembly.ca.gov

Dave Jones
(916) 319-2009
Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov

Steve Knight
(916) 319-2036
Assemblymember.Knight@assembly.ca.gov

William W. Monning
(916) 319-2027
Assemblymember.Monning@assembly.ca.gov

Pedro Nava
(916) 319-2035
Assemblymember.nava@assembly.ca.gov