SB196 Summary

• Establishes the Working Animal Protection and Animal Enterprise Freedom Act, granting the Commissioner and Department of Agriculture and Industries exclusive statewide jurisdiction over regulation of working animals and animal enterprises, preempting local ordinances that ban or restrict these activities.

• Creates a reporting and investigation process requiring sworn statements before a municipal judge or sheriff for animal cruelty claims, with investigations conducted by animal control officers or department investigators, and allows investigating agencies 10 business days to correct alleged abuse.

• Permits impoundment of animals only when there is probable cause of criminal cruelty and demonstrated danger of permanent physical injury or imminent death, with court hearings required within 10 days and individual consideration of each animal.

• Establishes that animal owners may select their own veterinarian for impoundment and bear costs if chosen, while county/municipality bears costs if animals are impounded at county pound or shelter; impoundment organizations may be liable for animal value plus three times projected revenue if animal dies, is sterilized, or loses work capability.

• Makes submitting a frivolous complaint (clearly lacking factual or legal basis) against an animal enterprise a Class C misdemeanor, with complainants liable for actual investigation costs and boarding fees; prohibits law enforcement from releasing crime scene photos until after conviction under penalty of Class B misdemeanor.