Amendment ID: S3029-18-R1

Redraft Amendment 18

Commission to study municipal and state animal control operations in the commonwealth

Mr. Tarr moves that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section_ the following section:-

"SECTION _. There shall be established a commission to study municipal and state animal control operations in the commonwealth. For purposes of this section, “animal control” shall include municipal and state responsibilities relating to companion animals, livestock, poultry, and other domesticated animals, including disease response, public safety, and coordination with agricultural operations. The commission shall be convened and administered by the executive office of energy and environmental affairs, in conjunction with the department of agricultural resources.

The commission shall consist of 15 members as follows: the secretary of energy and environmental affairs or their designee; the director of the division of animal health or their designee; and the commissioner of the department of agricultural resources or their designee who shall serve as chair. The remaining 12 members shall be appointed by the governor; provided, however, that such appointments shall, to the maximum extent practicable, reflect geographic diversity across the commonwealth, including representation from rural, suburban and urban municipalities. The governor’s appointments shall include: four animal control officers representing a diversity of municipal structures and operational models; a chief of police responsible for municipal animal control operations; a representative of a board of health responsible for municipal animal control operations; a representative of a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization that assists animal control officers with in-state animals; a representative of a Massachusetts livestock producer organization; and three additional members with expertise in municipal operations, animal welfare, public safety, agriculture, or related fields, appointed to ensure balanced representation and subject matter diversity.

The commission shall study the system of animal control in the commonwealth, including but not limited to the operations, responsibilities and activities of municipal animal control officers; statutory and regulatory frameworks governing animal control; the adequacy and availability of holding facilities and other necessary resources; workforce recruitment, retention, training, job classifications and retirement structures; communication and coordination between municipalities and the department of agricultural resources, including disease-related notifications; and any other matters the commission deems relevant to the effective functioning of the commonwealth’s animal control system.

The commission, based on its analysis and study, shall make any necessary recommendations to improve said system of animal control with regard to animal welfare and safety, public safety, cost-effectiveness, and the effective and efficient enforcement of laws, rules and regulations. Said study, together with such recommendations, shall be filed with the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, and the clerks of the House and Senate not later than March 15, 2027."