ANIMAL WELFARE FUND S.B. 350 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 350 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Sponsor: Senator Valde Garcia
Committee: Finance
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Animal Welfare Fund Act" to establish the "Animal Welfare Fund" in the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), to provide funds to:
-- Promote sterilization and adoption of dogs and cats.
-- Improve knowledge of the proper care of animals pursuant to State animal anticruelty laws by educating the public and training authorized personnel to enforce those laws.
-- Support and enhance programs that provide for the care and protection of animals pursuant to State anticruelty laws.
-- Allow the purchase of equipment and supplies for programs receiving grants under the bill.
The MDA would be required to solicit proposals for grants and to approve proposals for funding. Grants could be made only to animal control shelters, animal protection shelters, and organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are based in this State and whose primary purpose is to increase the number of dogs and cats that are sterilized and adopted.
An organization receiving a grant would have to give the MDA a annual written report of activities funded by the grant. A recipient that did not comply with the bill or the terms of the grant would not be eligible for any future grant from the Fund. The organization would have to repay the MDA the amount of the grant, or a portion of it, as determined by the Department.
The MDA could spend Fund money for actual administrative costs related to the administration of programs or activities authorized under the bill.
The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 347, which would amend the Income Tax Act to allow taxpayers to designate contributions to various funds, and require the Department of Treasury to create a schedule of contribution designations.
Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would result in additional administrative duties for the Department of Agriculture, but the cost increases associated with those duties cannot be determined at this time.
Date Completed: 3-22-07 Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon
floor\sb350 Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb350/0708