HB209 Alabama 2015 Session

Under existing law, it is a crime to harass, interfere, or attempt to interfere with the duties of a police animal or a search and rescue animal

It is also a crime to assault, injure, or cause the death of a police animal or search and rescue animal

This bill would clarify that an animal trained or handled by a Class One Railroad Officer or special agent and working in a canine unit is protected by the police animal protection laws

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

To amend Section 13A-11-260, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to police animals; to clarify that a trained police animal handled by a Class One Railroad Officer or special agent is within the protection of the police animal protection laws; 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.