BILL ANALYSIS Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair 2000 (Hagman) Hearing Date: 8/2/2010 Amended: 7/15/2010 Consultant: Katie Johnson Policy Vote: Health 8-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: AB 2000 would exempt a dog from the rabies vaccination requirement if a licensed veterinarian determines, on an annual basis, that a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog's life. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund CDPH staff for $40 $80 $0 General regulations amendment _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Currently, a dog must be licensed by a local enforcement agency biennially and may not exceed a period of three years in between licenses. Dogs must receive a rabies vaccination not more often than once annually and at least once every three years. It appears that some local jurisdictions are granting exemptions as part of their local rabies control programs, but there exists no statewide policy on exemptions from the rabies vaccination. This bill would require the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to develop an exemption form from rabies vaccination for veterinarians. The owner of the exempted dog would be required to sign a statement that would affirm that the owner understands the consequences and accepts all liability associated with owning a dog that has not received the rabies vaccination. If a local health officer grants an exemption, this bill would also require the local health officer to report exemptions to CDPH and would permit the local health officer to set restrictions on the exposure of the unvaccinated dog to the public. This bill would also prohibit the license period from extending beyond one year in the event that a dog receives a rabies vaccination exemption. In 2009, there were 1.9 million dogs licensed in California. Costs to CDPH to update its regulations related to canine rabies vaccinations would be $40,000 General Fund in FY 2010-2011 and $80,000 General Fund in FY 2011-2012. Costs related to develop the exemption form as well as ongoing costs to accept the reported exemptions would be minor and absorbable.