SJR 53 — FERAL CAT TASK FORCE

*LRB09921393MST47985r* 09900SJ0053 EngrossedEnrolled LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.

53 (AsWHEREAS, AmendedThe byunintended Senateor Amendmentuncontrolled No.breeding of cats leads to the births of thousands of kittens annually, many of whom become feral cats, often referred to as "community cats";

1) WHEREAS, The unintended or uncontrolled breeding of cats leads to the births of thousands of kittens annually, many of whom become feral cats, often referred to as "community cats";

and WHEREAS, Trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return programs attempt to manage and limit the growth of the number of feral or community cats;

therefore,and beWHEREAS, itThe RESOLVED,Illinois BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that a Feral Cat Task Force be appointed to 09900SJ0053 Engrossed -2- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r examine the Animal Population Control Act,Fund theplays Humanean Careimportant forrole Animals Act, and the Animal Welfare Act and any other relevant statutory provisions, other trap, neuter, and return programs in otherhelping statescommunities andpay trap and adopt programs and make comprehensive written recommendations for change that would result in the effective management of feral and community cats,control preserveefforts; wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health;

therefore, be it 09900SJ0053 Enrolled -2- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that a Feral Cat Task Force be appointed to examine the Animal Control Act, the Humane Care for Animals Act, the Animal Welfare Act, and any other relevant statutory provisions, including the Illinois Animal Population Control Fund, other trap, neuter, and return programs in other states, trap and adopt programs, or other proposed solutions to this issue and make comprehensive written recommendations for change that would result in the effective management of feral and community cats, preserve wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health;

(2) the Speaker of the HouseHouse, of Representatives, or his designee;

(5) a representative appointed by the Department of Agriculture;Public Health;

(6) a representative appointed by the Department of NaturalAgriculture; Resources;

(7) a representative appointed by the IllinoisDepartment Stateof VeterinaryNatural Medical09900SJ0053 Association;Enrolled -3- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r Resources;

(8) a representative appointed by the Illinois EnvironmentalState Council;Veterinary Medical Association;

(9) a representative whoappointed isby athe countyIllinois animalEnvironmental controlCouncil; 09900SJ0053 Engrossed -3- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r administrator from a county of over 4 million residents;

(10) a representative who is ona thecounty Boardanimal ofcontrol theadministrator Alliancefrom fora Contraceptioncounty in Cats & Dogs (ACCD) appointed by the University of Illinoisover School4 ofmillion Veterinaryresidents; Medicine;

(11) a representative who is on the Board of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACCD) appointed by Bestthe FriendsUniversity Animalof Society;Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine;

(12) a representative appointed by theBest IllinoisFriends FarmAnimal Bureau;Society;

(13) a representative appointed by the Illinois HumaneFarm Society;Bureau;

(14) a representative appointed by the Illinois ChapterHumane ofSociety; the Sierra Club;

(15) a representative appointed by the Illinois AudubonChapter Society;of the Sierra Club;

(16) a representative appointed by the Illinois WildlifeAudubon SocietySociety; who is a certified wildlife biologist;

(17) a representative appointed by the CountyIllinois AnimalWildlife ControlsSociety of Illinois who is currently employed as an Animal Control Administrator or an Animal Control Warden in a countycertified withwildlife abiologist; population of less than 2 million;

and (18) a representative fromappointed Treeby Housethe HumaneCounty Society;Animal Controls of Illinois who is currently employed as an Animal Control Administrator or an Animal Control Warden in a county with a population of less than 2 million;

and 09900SJ0053 Enrolled -4- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r (19) a representative from the Tree House Humane Society;

and be it further 09900SJ0053 Engrossed -4- LRB099 21393 MST 47985 r RESOLVED, That appointments to the Task Force must be made by JulyDecember 1,31, 2016;

and be it further RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold at least 3two hearings, which shall be held in geographically separate regions of the State;

and be it further RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall receive no compensation, and shall conclude all business by JanuaryMarch 1, 2017;

and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the PresidentDepartment of thePublic Senate,Health theshall Speakerprovide ofadministrative thesupport Houseto of Representatives, the MinorityTask LeaderForce; of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.