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Supporters say SB 619 clarifies court powers and custody rules after animal cruelty seizures; committee presses due-process and bond concerns
Summary
Proponents told the Judiciary Committee SB 619 would define what happens at the 14-day 'rocket docket' hearing after animals are seized for alleged cruelty—custody, mandatory veterinary care, and possible bonds—while committee members warned the bill could raise due-process and forfeiture concerns requiring drafting tweaks.
Patricia Morris, an animal-law practitioner and member of the governor's commission on humane treatment of animals, urged the Judiciary Committee to back SB 619 so courts and parties know what can happen at the 14-day hearing after animals are seized for alleged cruelty.
Morris said current statute requires a prompt hearing but leaves courts uncertain about their powers; the bill lists possible actions (arraignment, custody orders, veterinary care, and bonds) and clarifies that if a defendant doesn’t appear without exigent notice the court may proceed. She highlighted the cost of holding seized animals: a recent case had more than $150,000 in care costs for goats and sheep.
Committee members asked pointed constitutional questions. Representative Burch and others worried that requiring bonds or setting forfeiture timelines before any determination of guilt could conflict with due-process protections and state forfeiture law. Morris agreed these are important points and said aspects of the bill could be revised to avoid constitutional problems.
What happens next: committee members signaled they would seek clarifications about the bond/forfeiture language, standards of proof for initial custody and whether the bill should make forfeiture permissive rather than mandatory absent a conviction.
