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Senate Finance reviews bill to require owner security, speed forfeiture in animal-cruelty cases
Summary
Committee heard H.578, which would require owners to post interim security to cover care costs for seized animals, set default per-animal amounts while the director of animal welfare adopts rules, and impose time limits on forfeiture proceedings to speed adoption and care. Members pressed on rulemaking authority and hardship waivers.
The Senate Finance Committee heard a walkthrough of H.578 on May 7, a bill the lead sponsor described as intended to shift the cost of caring for seized animals from shelters and taxpayers onto those convicted or accused of abuse.
The bill’s lead sponsor, identified in the transcript as a representative from South Burlington, told the committee she had worked on the measure for years and cited gaps in current law that leave rescued animals languishing while shelters shoulder long care costs. “The animals can’t wait any longer,” the sponsor said.
Hillary Cheddar Ames of the Office of Legislative Council summarized the bill’s procedural and finance components. Ames told the committee that H.578 would add time limits to forfeiture proceedings, require an owner seeking to contest forfeiture to post security to cover food and…
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