HB51 Alabama 2013 Session

Under existing law, there is no requirement to report torture or cruelty to an animal.

This bill would require certain persons to report torture or cruelty to an animal.

This bill would define the terms "torture" and "cruelty." This bill would provide that a person with direct knowledge to make a report of animal abuse may not be subjected to civil or criminal liability.

This bill would provide that a person or entity who fails to report torture or cruelty to an animal would be subject to a fine.

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose.

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment.

Relating to animal abuse; to require certain persons to report torture or cruelty to an animal; to define the terms "torture" and "cruelty"; to provide that a person who has direct knowledge to make a report of animal abuse may not be subjected to civil or criminal liability; to provide that a person who fails to report torture or cruelty to an animal would be subject to a fine; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.