Rules committee releases H 626 to Government Operations for review

The Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously April 24 to release H 626, an animal-welfare bill, from rules so the measure can proceed to further consideration in the Senate Government Operations Committee. Unidentified Speaker (S2) introduced the item, saying, "I am here to ask the H 626 in animal welfare bill."

Committee members said they wanted to compare the bill to a companion measure already in their committee. In discussion, Unidentified Speaker (S3) noted potential budget ties and cautioned about appropriations, saying the committee had "approved an additional game warden" in the budget to increase investigative capacity. Other members raised that parts of the bill appeared to be funded by a fee increase—"funded through increasing your dog license or something," one speaker said—though the committee did not finalize funding language in this meeting.

Unidentified Speaker (S3) moved to release H 626 from Senate rules. The chair put the motion to a voice vote and members responded "aye"; the motion carried unanimously. The chair said the measure would be assigned on the floor the next day: "So I guess we'll assign that tomorrow, John, on the floor."

The committee did not take a final vote on the bill's substance; the action was limited to releasing the bill from the rules committee for further committee consideration.