Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Develop Recommendations for Licensing Equine Boarding Facilities
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0458
Committee Amendment CA_A_S70 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 161, L.D. 458, "Resolve, Directing the 
Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Develop Recommendations for 
Licensing Equine Boarding Facilities" 
Amend the resolve by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To 
Study Equine Husbandry Practices in the State' 
Amend the resolve by striking out everything after the title. and before the summary 
and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
convene a working group. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food 
and Rural Resources shall convene a working group to evaluate the care of equines in the 
State and recommend any changes necessary to ensure the humane treatment of equines 
and effective enforcement of state laws. The commissioner shall invite the following to 
participate in the working group: a veterinarian specializing in equine care; a farrier; an 
owner of an equine breeding stable; an owner or operator of an equine boarding stable; an 
owner of show horses; a person who has served as a superintendent for equine pulling 
events; a person who owns one or more horses for pleasure and does not benefit 
commercially from an equine-related business; a representative of an animal shelter 
whose primary mission is the care and rehabilitation of abused equines; a member of the 
Maine Animal Control Association; and an attorney with knowledge of the State's animal 
welfare laws. 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 shall participate in the working group. The department shall provide 
staff to and coordinate meetings of the working group using existing resources or funds 
specifically 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, shall: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMEN"r 
",.~ 
COMMIlTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 161, L.D. 458 
I. Review annual reports submitted in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 7, section 3906-B for 2006,2007 and 2008 and examine summary data presented in 
these reports for data on the number of investigations of cruelty to equines and the final 
disposition of those cases; 
2. 
Review existing statutory provisions pertaining to the care of equines and 
behaviors or conditions that constitute neglect or abuse under state law; 
3. Review existing best management practices and standards of care for equines in 
the statutes and in the regulations of other states and other practices and standards 
developed by agencies or organizations to promote good equine husbandry; and 
4. Develop approaches to reducing the incidence of equine abuse and neglect in the 
State. Approaches may differ to appropriately target equine owners and stable owners 
with varying objectives; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Reporting date established. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 
2010, 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 legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation 
and Forestry. The joint standing committee may submit legislation pertaining to 
promoting good equine husbandry practices and ensuring the enforcement of the State's 
animal welfare laws to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. I 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the resolve. It directs the Commissioner of Agriculture, 
Food and Rural Resources to convene a working group to assist the commissioner in 
developing recommendations to promote good equine husbandry in the State. 
FISCAL ~OTE REQljlRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 04/1 0/09 
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LD458 
LR 747(02) 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Develop 
Recommendations for Licensing Equine Boarding Facilities 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'tjf" 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with this legislation can be 
absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0747(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1