Bill would allow up to 30 minutes of unattended engine‑on time to run climate control for pets under conditions

Jennifer Harris briefed substitute SB 5,833, which would allow a motor vehicle to be left unattended with the engine running for up to 30 minutes if reasonably necessary to run the vehicle’s heating or air‑conditioning for the purpose of limiting a pet’s exposure to excessive heat or cold. The bill requires the vehicle’s doors to be locked, brakes set, and, when on a perceptible grade, front wheels turned toward the curb or side of the roadway.

Senator Keith Wagoner, sponsor, framed the bill as a modest statutory fix to avoid forcing pet owners to violate one statute to comply with another. He noted a prior law allowed breaking windows when a pet was in imminent danger; this bill carves a narrow, 30‑minute exception for climate control.

James McMahon, policy director for the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, testified with a cautionary note: he said the underlying statute was enacted to prevent auto theft and that the proposed allowance could increase theft risk because it would permit leaving keys or otherwise enabling a vehicle to be driveable. McMahon cited language in another bill (SB 5081) that staff said strikes an appropriate balance by allowing climate controls while preventing the vehicle from being operational.

Committee members asked whether amendments could account for older vehicles whose ignition/key behavior differs from modern remote‑start vehicles. McMahon and others replied that remote climate control capabilities favor newer vehicles and older vehicles present enforcement and theft‑risk challenges; reconciliation language with SB 5081 was suggested.

The hearing closed after testimony and Q&A; no formal vote occurred in this session.