SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2569

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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SENATE, January 29, 2024.

The committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 491) of Anne M. Gobi and Kimberly N. Ferguson for legislation relative to creating an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2569).

For the committee,

Joanne M. Comerford

        FILED ON: 1/23/2024

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2569

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act relative to creating an animal advisory board to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

There shall be established an Animal Advisory Board constituted for the general purpose of advising the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR).

The members of the advisory board shall include the shelter and rescue coordinator at MDAR or their designee, who shall serve as chair. The Governor shall appoint 8 additional persons, 1 of whom shall be a member of a small foster-based rescue; 1 of whom shall be a member of a larger animal welfare organization; 1 of whom shall be a member of a national animal welfare organization that provides interstate transport; 1of whom shall be a veterinarian who is certified by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians; 1 if whom shall be a veterinarian experienced with companion animal work; 1 of whom shall be a veterinarian with livestock and/or farm experience; 1 of whom shall be a lawyer with animal welfare experience, and 1 of whom shall be an Animal Control Officer operating in the Commonwealth with at least five years of experience.

The advisory board shall meet quarterly and at the call of the commissioner or upon the written request of any two members. The board is charged with advising the commissioner on issues relating, but not limited to, shelters, animal control officers, animal inspectors, training and best practices. The Animal advisory board, in conjunction with the department, shall make an annual report to the joint committee on agriculture as to their activities under this section.

All members of the advisory board will serve without compensation.