BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 1162
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 16, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                    SB 1162 (Runner) - As Amended:  June 13, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                             Public 
          SafetyVote:4-0

          Urgency:     Yes                  State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:               

           SUMMARY  

          This bill authorizes an animal control officer or humane 
          officer, when necessary to protect the health and safety of a 
          wild, stray, or abandoned animal, or the health and safety of 
          others, to administer a controlled substance tranquilizer to 
          gain control of that animal, provided the officer has met each 
          of the following requirements:

          1)Tranquilizers are from a licensed veterinarian as specified.  

          2)Successful completion of the firearms component of a course 
            relating to the exercise of police powers, as specified.

          3)Authorization from the employing entity to possess and 
            administer the tranquilizer in accordance with a policy 
            established by the agency or organization and approved by the 
            veterinarian who obtained the controlled substance.

          4)Euthanasia training as specified.

          5)A state and federal background check showing no drug- or 
            alcohol-related convictions.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible state cost. Any training and background checks will 
          be a local responsibility and do not constitute a mandate, as 
          the bill is permissive.

           COMMENTS  









                                                                  SB 1162
                                                                  Page  2

           Rationale  . The intent of this bill is to address a 2011 Attorney 
          General (AG) opinion that determined local animal control 
          officers lack the statutory authority to administer controlled 
          substances to subdue animals. The AG also noted a solution in 
          the opinion, "In view of the asserted need for more humane 
          alternatives, the Legislature may wish to consider examining the 
          circumstances confronting local jurisdictions to determine 
          whether adjustments in the law are in order to ensure that the 
          option of tranquilization will be available as an alternative to 
          destroying the animals."

          This urgency measure provides such a statutory scheme.  There is 
          no known opposition.  
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081