SB196 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack W. WilliamsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Animal enterprises, working animals, certain rights guaranteed, regulation by Commissioner and Dept. of Agriculture and Industries, reporting requirements of alleged animal cruelty, impoundment procedures, criminal penalties for frivolous complaints, Working Animal Protection and Animal Enterprise Freedom Act

Summary

SB196 would place regulation of working animals and animal enterprises under state agencies, create a formal cruelty reporting and investigation process, establish impoundment rules, and add penalties for frivolous complaints.

What This Bill Does

It gives the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and the Department exclusive statewide authority to regulate working animals and animal enterprises. It creates a formal reporting and investigation process for alleged cruelty by an animal enterprise. It establishes court-ordered impoundment procedures for animals in danger, including hearings and clear cost rules. It imposes criminal penalties for frivolous cruelty complaints and notes a local-funding exemption under a constitutional provision.

Who It Affects

• Animal enterprises and their owners/operators, who would be regulated, must participate in reporting/investigation processes, may be subject to impoundment, and could incur related costs.

Key Provisions

• Establishes exclusive statewide regulation of working animals and animal enterprises by the Commissioner and the Department, preempting conflicting local rules.
• Defines key terms (animal, animal enterprise, working animal, impounded) to guide the regulation and enforcement.
• Creates a reporting and investigation process for alleged cruelty by an animal enterprise, including sworn statements and investigations by animal control or department investigators.
• Authorizes court-ordered impoundment of animals in danger of permanent injury or imminent death, with hearings, cost allocation, and the option for owners to choose their own veterinarian for impounded animals.
• Imposes a Class C misdemeanor for frivolous cruelty complaints and requires the complainant to cover investigation and related costs.
• Allows local funding expenses related to the act but notes a constitutional exemption for this bill, and sets the act to become effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals