An Act To_ Ensure Ethical and Humane Dog Breeding in the State
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2010
Committee Amendment CA_A_H803 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to H.P. 1394, L.D. 2010, BilI, "An Act To_ 
Ensure Ethical and Humane Dog Breeding in the State" 
Amend the biIl by striking out the title and substituting the folIowing: 
'Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources To Evaluate and Recommend Revisions to the Animal Welfare 
Laws and Department Rules Regarding Breeding Kennels' 
Amend the bilI by striking out everything after the title and inserting the foIlowing: 
'Sec. 1. 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
convene a working group. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food 
and Rural Resources shaH convene a working group to evaluate and recommend changes 
to the statutory definition of "breeding kennel" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, 
section 3907, subsection 8-A. 
The commissioner shall invite representatives of the 
folIowing stakeholder groups to participate in the working group: the Maine Veterinary 
Medical Association, the Maine Federation of Humane Societies, an animal advocacy 
organization, the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs, the American Kennel Club, the Down 
East Sled Dog Club, the Maine Animal Control Officers Association and the Maine Town 
and City Clerks' Association. The commissioner shaH invite at least one owner of a 
licensed breeding kennel and one owner of a licensed cat breeding facility to participate 
in the working group. The director of the animal welfare program within the Department 
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the state veterinarian assigned to the animal 
welfare program and a member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council designated by 
the commissioner shaH participate in the working group. The department shaIl provide 
staff to and coordinate meetings of the working group using existing resources or funds 
specificalIy donated to facilitate this undertaking; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and 
Rural Resources, in consultation with the working group under section 1, shalI review the 
following issues within the parameters of applicable federal and state laws: the current 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
;f.. ... 
I 
II 
t5 
COMMfrTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to II.P. 1394. L.D. 2010 
statutory definition of "breeding kennel," recent and proposed revisions to the definition 
and the practical impact of those revisions; criteria or documentation that the animal 
welfare program within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and 
municipal animal control officers must use to determine whether a facility meets the 
definition of "breeding kennel"; and the department's rules and proposed revisions to the 
rules pertaining to the licensing and regulation of breeding kennels; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Reporting date e~tablished. Resolved: That, no later than January IS, 
2009, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall submit a report 
with findings and recommendations pursuant to the review under section 2, including any 
recommended legislative changes, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over animal welfare matters. The joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over animal welfare matters may submit legislation 
pertaining to the definition and regulation of breeding kennels to the First Regular 
Session of the 124th Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the concept draft for a bill with a resolve. It directs the 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a working group to 
evaluate the definition of "breeding kennel" and review statutory provisions and 
regulation of breeding kennels. It directs the commissioner to invite representatives of 
certain stakeholder groups to participate in the working group. 
The department is 
directed to provide staff to and coordinate meetings of the working group within existing 
resources. The commissioner is required to submit a report following this review by 
January 15, 2009 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction 
over animal welfare matters. 
The committee is authorized to submit legislation 
pertaining to the regulation of breeding kennels to the First Regular Session of the 124th 
Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See Attachet!j-" 
. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03118/08 MaC 
LD 2010 
LR 2754(02) 
An Act To Ensure Ethical and Humane Dog Breeding in the State 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,fl " 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources can be absorbed within existing 
budgeted resources. 
LR2754(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of 1