advocating for animals in new york state
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Advocating for Animals in New York StatePRESENTED BY: TRACEY COLLINSNEW YORK STATE HUMANE ASSOCIATION
New York State Humane Association
The New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) is a 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in 1925. NYSHA’s guiding philosophy is to reduce animal suffering, to prevent animal cruelty, and to encourage compassion to all creatures.
NYSHA Continued
• Conduct fighting animal cruelty workshops
• Assist with animal cruelty cases across the state
• Advocate for animal-related issues, funding, and legislation
• Perform outreach activities
State Level Advocacy
NYSHA focuses most advocacy activities on the state level. We also work closely with other organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to promote better conditions and laws for animals in New York State and beyond.
New York State Government
New York State Legislature
Senate Assembly
Leadership
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Senate Temporary President & Majority Leader Dean Skelos
Senate Ind. Dem. Conference Leader & Coalition Co-Leader Jeffrey Klein
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
New York State Legislative Committees Senate Agriculture
Chair Patty Ritchie
Senate Environmental Conservation
Chair Thomas O’Mara
Assembly Agriculture Chair William Magee
Assembly Environmental Conservation
Chair Steven Englebright
Balance of Power
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Idea
Introduction
Legislative Process
Signed by the Governor
From Committee to the Floor• Standing Committees meet on a regular basis to report bills to
either the next committee, or to the floor for a vote.
• Committee Chairs work with leaders to create committee agendas, where committee members vote on each measure on the week’s agenda.
• If a bill passes the committee, the full chamber will debate on the floor and then vote to pass or not pass the bill.
• A bill may be amended by the sponsor at any time during the committee or floor process.
Passing Into Law• The same version of the bill must
pass both houses.
• If the Assembly and Senate pass different versions, it cannot be delivered to the Governor unless one house amends their bill to conform to the other.
• The Governor has 10 business days to sign or veto a bill once it has reached his desk.
By the Numbers
Of 14,000 bills introduced each year…
2,000 are acted upon… and of those, 800 become law.
Facing the Obstacles
Politics
Opposing lobbies
Limited resources
Competing interests
Opposing Interests
Lobbying
Why Lobby?
• Without strong laws, animals aren’t protected.
• Laws legitimize society’s animal welfare concerns.
• Laws are needed when education is not enough.
• Animals can’t lobby—we must be their voice.
Know Your Representatives• New York State Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/
• New York State Senate: http://www.nysenate.gov/
Lobbing State Law Makers
• Call their office
• Write a letter or e-mail
• Attend public hearings, testify about animal issues
• Have in-person meetings with the legislator or legislative staff
In-Person Meetings
When meeting with members of the NYS Legislature or any elected official, keep in mind:
• Be polite and respectful
• Be specific and concise
• Stay on Topic
• Provide fact sheets and data
• Appeal to broader impact of the issue
Joining Forces
Don’t Go It Alone….Form a Coalition * Strength in numbers * Sharing of ideas and energy
* Credibility in numbers * Broader reach
* Maximize diverse skills & talents * Generate greater attention
Collective Voices for the Cause
Humane Lobby DayTuesday, March 24th
Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY
Humane Lobby Day Bills
A352 Rosenthal/S3201 LANZA: Consolidated Animal Crimes
A925 Rosenthal: Prohibits Tail Docking of Cattle
A1297 Rosenthal: Prohibits the Declawing of Cats
Consolidated Animal Crimes
Bill A352/S321 would improve enforcement by placing animal crimes under the Penal Code (criminal law), transferring from Agriculture and Markets Law, which is familiar, accessible, and taught to law enforcement personnel.
Tail Docking Ban
Proposal A925 would prohibit the unnecessary, painful, and inhumane practice known as tail-cutting or tail-docking of dairy cows.
Cat Declawing Ban
Bill A1297 would prevent needless suffering by prohibiting the declawing of cats except when deemed medically necessary.
NYSHA PRIORITIES
http://www.nyshumane.org/
Horse Slaughter Ban
Bill A4404A (Glick) would protect horses by prohibiting the brutal transport and slaughter of horses for human consumption.
Funding for Horse RetirementProposal A5342 (Glick) would create the responsible retirement of racehorses fund to require the racing industry to dedicate funding for the care of horses leaving the track.
Law Enforcement Training NYSHA is advocating for funding to be added to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets agency budget for the development and implementation of training curriculum for law enforcement officers and dog control officers statewide regarding the animal cruelty statutes.
Turn Passion into Action
What You Can Do Penal Code Transfer: Assemblywoman Rosenthal,
Assemblyman Magee, Senator Lanza and Senator Ritchie
Horse Slaughter Ban: Assemblywoman Glick, Assemblyman Magee
Funding for Horse Retirement: Assemblywoman Glick, Assemblyman Magee
Funding for Law Enforcement Training: Assemblyman Magee, Senator Ritchie
Be Persistent…and Creative
And Always Remember…
You Help Ensure…
Animals Have a Voice and Seat at the Table!
Contact Me
Tracey Collins
New York State Humane Association
http://www.nyshumane.org/