BILL ANALYSIS AB 2000 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 28, 2010 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair AB 2000 (Hagman) - As Amended: April 5, 2010 Policy Committee: AgricultureVote:7 - 0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill exempts from vaccination requirements the owner of a dog that a licensed veterinarian determines has a compromised immune system or pre-existing condition that renders the vaccine dangerous to the animal's health. Specifically, this bill: 1)Exempts certain dogs from vaccine requirements if they have a compromised immune system or other health problem. 2)Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop a standardized form for the request for an exemption. 3)Requires that a local health officer quarantine a dog that is exempt from the canine anti-rabies vaccination until the medical condition has resolved itself. 4)Requires the responsible city or county to report all exemptions issued to DPH. 5)Limits the license period for an exempt dog to one year. FISCAL EFFECT DPH costs of approximately $40,000 for one half of 2010-11 and $80,000 for 2011-12 for a veterinary research scientist to amend the regulations and develop the exemption form. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . Supporters state this bill is needed to put a dog's health in the hands of veterinarians and dog owners, instead AB 2000 Page 2 of at the discretion of local health officers. According to the author, there are often issues with health-compromised dogs and further health problems associated with the canine anti-rabies vaccination. Supporters also contend that rabies has been effectively eradicated in the pet dog population in California. 2)Background . Existing law requires every dog owner to, once the dog is older than four months, obtain a dog license from the responsible local government at least every two years, and obtain a canine anti-rabies vaccine every year. The law allows local governments to pass ordinances, for the issuance of a dog license for a period not to exceed three years for dogs older then 12 months that have been vaccinated against rabies. The person to whom the license is issued may choose a license period as established by the governing body, except that the license shall not extend beyond the validity for the current anti-rabies vaccination. Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916) 319-2081