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Committee defers seizure-of-rescue-animals bill after agency and legal concerns

House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment · April 23, 2026
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Summary

After extended debate and amendments, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 662, which would change seizure procedures for certain small rescued animals; lawmakers adopted an amendment to allow warrantless seizure in exigent cruelty cases but the department warned the changes could create legal and enforcement gaps.

The House committee debated HB 662, a measure that would change seizure procedures for a small set of animals already covered by rescue or rescuer statutes (raccoon, opossum, squirrel, rabbit and similar species). Sponsors described the bill as a safeguard for due process and a way to avoid agents making on‑the‑spot euthanasia or seizure decisions without options for rescue, rehabilitation or rescue licensing.

An amendment (set 42 88) was adopted in concept to permit warrantless seizure in exigent animal‑cruelty circumstances, require seized wildlife be transferred to a rehabilitator and remove a strict court‑order requirement for euthanasia in extreme cases. Department counsel warned that the proposed changes amend general wildlife seizure statutes and could create loopholes that would hinder enforcement, facilitate illegal pet trafficking and conflict with the public‑trust doctrine.

After extended questioning and cross-committee discussion the sponsor asked for additional time to work with the department and the committee voted to voluntarily defer HB 662 to the next meeting so counsel and staff could reconcile statutory and constitutional concerns.