Senate creates Division of Animal Welfare in Public Safety, funds through higher rabies license fee

The Senate considered H626, an act to reorganize animal‑welfare oversight by creating a Division of Animal Welfare housed in the Department of Public Safety. The division will be led by a director responsible for developing an investigatory and enforcement plan, coordinating seizure and care practices for animals taken into custody, and clarifying who may serve as humane officers. The bill removes the ability for unaffiliated humane society employees to exercise enforcement authority and requires that municipal animal control officers be employed by a municipal or state law enforcement agency to retain humane‑officer powers.

To fund the new division and associated work, the bill increases the rabies license fee from $1 to $3 per license and creates a special Animal Welfare Fund. Committee reporters noted a projected FY2025 revenue estimate (approximately $140,000) to support the new position; appropriations and finance committees reviewed and approved related fiscal items. Senators discussed evidence handling, interagency responsibilities and an expectation that sheriffs operating under municipal contract would qualify under the humane‑officer definition. The Senate ordered 3rd reading and later passed H626.