BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2431
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Date of Hearing: May 7, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 2431 (Dababneh) - As Introduced: February 21, 2014
Policy Committee: Higher
EducationVote:12-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill:
1)Requires any public or nonpublic independent postsecondary
educational institution that confines dogs or cats for
research purposes and intends to destroy the dog or cat to
first offer the dog or cat to an animal adoption or animal
rescue organization.
2)States that (1) does not apply to animals that are
irremediably suffering from a serious illness or severe injury
and newborn animals needing maternal care without having
access to their mothers.
FISCAL EFFECT
Costs of compliance would appear to be minor and absorbable, as
the University of California (UC) indicates that, "All UC
campuses that perform teaching, testing or research on dogs and
cats follow internally-developed policies, guidance, or
practices that permit adoption whenever possible." UC is
concerned, however, that increased litigation may result to the
extent animal rights groups may challenge the university with
respect to determinations regarding the potential adoptability
of specific animals.
COMMENTS
1)Background . The federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is intended
to ensure the humane treatment of animals intended for
research, bred for commercial sale, exhibited to the public,
AB 2431
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or commercially transported. Under the AWA, businesses and
others with animals covered by the law must be licensed or
registered, and they must adhere to minimum standards of care.
In addition, all research universities in the state, (public
and private), are accredited by the Association for Assessment
and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International
(AAALAC) and are subject to additional standards.
2)Purpose . According to the author, this bill is intended to
provide for an opportunity for Californians to adopt dogs and
cats from research, teaching, and veterinary laboratories in
California's postsecondary institutions. The bill would
facilitate a relationship between these universities and
non-profit animal rescue organizations so that when a dog or
cat is no longer needed by the laboratory and need not be
euthanized to fulfill the objects of the research, that animal
be given a chance at adoption instead of being summarily
euthanized.
3)Opposition . According to the UC, "The University supports the
adoption of dogs and cats used in research when those animals
have been deemed suitable for adoption by the expert
evaluation of our campus researchers and veterinarians." The
UC argues that this measure fails to address the complex human
health and safety considerations and related costs that must
be contemplated before adoption of research dogs and cats.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081