If you don’t like the rules
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This document summarizes a presentation given by Amy Harrell, president of Connecticut Votes for Animals (CVA), about how to get involved in the state legislative process to improve animal protection laws. It provides an overview of CVA's mission and past legislative accomplishments. It then outlines the multi-step state legislative process, emphasizing the importance of grassroots support from animal advocates. It encourages animal control officers to develop relationships with legislators, propose ideas, testify at hearings, and work with CVA or other advocacy groups. Finally, it previews potential bills for the upcoming 2016 legislative session.
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If you don’t like the rules
- 1. If you don’t like the rules, change them! How to improve laws for animals in CT Amy Harrell President, Connecticut Votes for Animals
- 2. Today’s presentation • A little info about CVA • Overview of the state legislative process • How you can affect that process • Future areas of legislation • Plenty of time for Q and A • Let’s hear your ideas!
- 3. About me and CVA • CT Votes for Animals is an all-volunteer grassroots advocacy organization, working mainly at state level • We aim to create a more peaceful environment for animals by lobbying for stronger animal protection laws • We see our work in the context of the larger animal protection movement. • Our goal is to complement the work of rescuers, ACOs, educators, veterinarians, etc.
- 4. The CVA formula Mobilize animal-loving voters to “get political” + Professional lobbying + Building up pro-animal legislators = Better laws !!
- 5. Some things we’ve done so far • Dog tethering statutes • Pet shop laws • Animal cruelty penalties and cross-reporting with child abuse • APCP voucher distribution • Anti-Breed specific legislation • Rallied against bear hunting • Advocate against the sale of poached elephant ivory
- 7. How a bill becomes law: the Myth Brilliant idea Committee flawlessly drafts into a bill Unanimous passage in the House Passage in the Senate Governor happily signs bill into law
- 8. How a bill becomes law: reality Brilliant idea Committee chair strips half of it out Nail biting Testify at public hearing at 10:30PM on Friday night tearshed Bill limps out of committee in stripped-down form Sweet talk pro-animal legislator into sponsoring floor amendment Massive grassroots campaign Bill goes to House Bill sent to another committee House passes on second to last day of session Senate passes at 10 PM on last day of session HUGE CELEBRATION !!!
- 9. Where legislative ideas come from • Unfinished business from prior years • The political ecosphere • National trends • Members, legislators, state agencies like Dept. of Agriculture, or YOU • Other advocacy or rescue organizations
- 10. Step One: Find support • Meet with legislators, Dept of Agriculture, other organizations • Find legislator who will sponsor • Must generate support for the idea and get the bill “raised” in committee so it will have a public hearing.
- 11. The Environment Committee • Bi-partisan committee • Handles matters concerning the environment, including animals • Co-chairs: Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. represents Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison & North Branford • Rep. James Albis represents East Haven • Complete membership at: https://www.cga.ct.gov/env/
- 12. The public hearing • All members of the public invited to speak for 3 minutes in support or opposition of the bill • As an ACO you are considered an expert witness • All testimony should be submitted in writing regardless of whether you come in person. • If you come in person, ask your legislator to “escort” you which will get you in and out faster !!
- 13. The rest of the journey … • If the bill gets out of committee, it goes to either House or Senate, sometimes taking a detour through another committee. • Amendments can affect the bill’s direction • Must pass both House and Senate – then on to Governor’s desk
- 14. The bill’s life depends on … • Grassroots power • Amendments • Grassroots power • Partisan politics • Backroom deals • Grassroots power • Strength of legislators who pledged to champion • Bill’s proponents’ willingness to compromise.
- 15. Changing the rules in your own town • Town governments differ in processes and procedures – get to know your own. • Attend city council or RTM meetings to get a feel for the process and the players. • Expect the same non-linear, politics-infused process seen at the state level!
- 16. What’s an ACO to do? • Develop relationships with your elected officials. • Go to their Web sites and sign up for email list. Follow Facebook page, Twitter, etc. • Send them occasional reports of the important work you are doing. • Invite them to shelter-related events • Time permitting, have a one-on-one meeting
- 17. Propose your own ideas • Should it go to your town or the state? • Check first with Ray Connors/Dept of Agriculture • Poll your colleagues • Test out your idea on legislators/town council • Get in touch with me!
- 18. Help other proposals get passed • Testify at a hearing/submit written testimony • Spread the word by forwarding/sharing CVA action alerts • Encourage others to get involved politically
- 19. Make your voice heard • State Task force title “Task Force for Humane Treatment of Animals in Municipal and Regional Shelters” • Web site: http://tinyurl.com/CTtaskforce • Meets monthly, Collecting feedback from public and ACOs, May propose ideas for next session. • Next meeting: October 7, 2:00 – 4:00, at the Legislative Office Building
- 20. Work directly with CVA or other groups • Contact advocacy groups and educate us! • Create a legislative committee within CMACOA that will help generate ideas, provide feedback throughout the session, and serve as liaisons to task forces, committees, etc. • Feedback from you is essential to both proposing solutions, and evaluating what works and what doesn’t.
- 21. Looking ahead … • Legislation that will likely be introduced in the 2016 session that runs February through May • Prohibit insurance companies from discriminating against dog breeds • Court advocate bill, aka “Desmond’s Law” to encourage justice in animal cruelty cases • Pie in the sky legislation (future session?) • Mandatory spay/neuter for all animals adopted out from municipal shelters or rescue organizations
- 22. Questions? Feedback? What do YOU think? Contact info: Amy Harrell, amy.cva@gmail.com http://ctvotesforanimals.org Facebook: CTVotesforAnimals Twitter: CVFA
Editor's Notes
- This is a very simplified version of the formula – should also include blood sweat tears … The point is that passing laws relies on a combination of factors: ultimately depends a lot on election day math …
- Mostly companion animal laws, but we do advocate for all animals. Goal is to make your efforts, and that of rescue organizations go farther.
- Although that is the basic path
- Non-linear path. Lots of ups and downs, ways for bill to get sidetracked. Easy to see why only a fraction of bills actually become law.
- .
- Important to note that a variety of interests are represented on committee, including opposition to the health of the environment, and hunting interests, etc. Powers of co-chairs and their constituents including you as ACOs. Co-chairs appointed by Speaker and Senate President pro tem - always subject to change with each election
- That concludes the overview of the state process.