BILL NUMBER: AB 1540	CHAPTERED  09/02/99

	CHAPTER   303
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 23, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 19, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 23, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 20, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Vincent

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to amend Section 597s of the Penal Code, relating to
animals.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1540, Vincent.  Animals:  willful abandonment.
   Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to willfully abandon any
domestic dog or cat.
   This bill instead would apply this prohibition to any animal.  By
expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a
state-mandated local program.
   The bill would make this provision inapplicable to the release or
rehabilitation and release of native California wildlife pursuant to
statute or regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game.

  The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 597s of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   597s.  (a) Every person who willfully abandons any animal is
guilty of a misdemeanor.
   (b) This section shall not apply to the release or rehabilitation
and release of native California wildlife pursuant to statute or
regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.