SB 325 — Authorizes certain counties and cities to establish a program relating to the adoption of certain animals. (BDR 20-1004)

(ReprintedSenate withBill amendmentsNo. adopted on April 17, 2025) FIRST REPRINT S.B.

325325–Senators SDoñate, ENATECruz-Crawford, BScheible, ILLSteinbeck, NStone; O.

325–SEllison, ENATORSKrasner, DNguyen, OÑATEPazina ,and CRUZTaylor -CRAWFORDJoint ,Sponsors: SCHEIBLE , STEINBECK , S TONE ;

ELLISONAssemblymembers ,D’Silva, KRASNERGallant ,and NGUYENGray ,CHAPTER.......... AZINA AND T AYLOR M ARCH 11, 2025 ____________ JOINT SPONSORS :

SSEMBLYMEMBERS D’SILVA , G ALLANT AND G RAY ____________ Referred to Committee on Government Affairs SUMMARY—Authorizes certain counties and cities to establish a program relating to the adoption of certain animals.

(BDR 20-1004) FISCAL NOTE:

Effect on Local Government:

May have Fiscal Impact.

Effect on the State:

Yes.

~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;

matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

(1) waive the adoptionperiod feeof for6 notmonths morefor thaneach oneveteran, eligiblelaw animalenforcement fromofficer theor animalfirst shelterresponder forwho a adopts an animal;

(2) require such a veteran, law enforcement officer or firstrfirst who responder to provide a valid form of identification;

and (4) require the animal shelter to maintain - *SB325_R1* – 2 – records of each adoption made under the program.

On or before October 1 of each even-numberedprogram, year, after the governing body of athe county or city establishesis suchrequired to submit a report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regularoregular session of the Legislature containing certain information concerning the program.

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;

matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

If a county owns and operates an animal shelter or the board of county commissioners appropriates money to an animal shelter to provide care and shelter to animals, the board of county commissioners may establish a program to waive the adoption fee of an animal that is 6 months or older, has been at the animal - 83rd Session (2025) – 2 – shelter for at least 7 consecutive days and is adopted from the animal shelter by a person who is a veteran, law enforcement officer or first responder.

(a) Waive the adoption fee for not more than one animal that meets the requirements of subsection 1 for a period of 6 months for each veteran, law enforcement officer or first responder who adopts such an animal from the animal shelter;

- *SB325_R1* – 3 – (a) “Adoption fee” does not include a licensing fee, vaccination fee or any fees for the medical treatment of the animal.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 3 – Sec.

If an incorporated city owns and operates an animal shelter or the governing body of an incorporated city appropriates money to an animal shelter to provide care and shelter to animals, the governing body of the city may establish a program to waivewaivels, the adoption fee of an animal that is 6 months or older, has been at the animal shelter for at least 7 consecutive days and is adopted from the animal shelter by a person who is a veteran, law enforcement officer or first responder.

On or before October 1 of each even-numbered year after a governing body of an incorporated city establishes a program pursuant to subsection 1, the governing body of an incorporated city shall submit a report to the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau for transmittal to the next regular session of the Legislature that includes the number of animals adopted under a program established pursuant to subsection 1 and whether each - *SB325_R1* – 4 – animal was adopted by a veteran, law enforcement officer or first responder.

(d)- “First83rd responder”Session (2025) – 4 – medical provider.ponder” means a firefighter or emergency med(e)(e) “Law enforcement officer” means any officer of the United States or this State or a political subdivision thereof who is empowered by law to conduct investigations or make arrests.

Sec.Secs.

3.3-5.

4.

(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.

5.

(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.

(Deleted by amendment.) H~~~~~ 25 - *SB325_R1*83rd Session (2025)