Committee on Animals and the Law Legislative Memos

2023-2024

Animal Law Memo #1 (S460A/A768A) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #2 (S761/A776) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #3 (S1455/A1226) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to methods used to capture or dispose of nuisance wildlife.

Animal Law Memo #4 (S1619/A110) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to prohibiting the use of leg-gripping traps.

Animal Law Memo #5 (S4717/A3149) AN ACT to amend the Executive Law, in relation to authorizing the Department of Veterans’ Services to provide eligible veterans with financial assistance for purchasing, training and the upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs.

Animal Law Memo #6 (S1659/A111) AN ACT to amend the Judiciary Law, in relation to the creation of a court-appointed advocate for animals.

Animal Law Memo #7 (S1968/A3798) AN ACT to amend the Public Health Law and the Education Law, in relation to authorizing emergency medical service personnel to provide basic first aid to cats and dogs under certain circumstances.

Animal Law Memo #8 (S4976/A2084) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to prohibiting the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on state-owned land and land contributing surface water to the New York City water supply.

Animal Law Memo #9 (S1673/A420) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to requiring the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores.

Animal Law Memo #10 (S5203/A1409) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to the judicial process relating to a dog that caused death to a companion animal, farm animal or domestic animal while trespassing on property.

Animal Law Memo #11 (S4081/A5499) AN ACT to amend the Social Services Law, in relation to assistance for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs and to repeal section 303-a of such law relating thereto.

Animal Law Memo #12 (S4099/A2917) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to making contests, competitions, tournaments and derbies to take wildlife unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #13 (S3431/A1148) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law and the Penal Law, in relation to detecting, disrupting and dismantling violent enterprise animal cruelty and appropriately punishing individuals associated with such enterprise cruelty; and to repeal certain provisions of the agriculture and markets law relating thereto.

Animal Law Memo #14 (S4363/A4005) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of permits authorizing the use of wild animals in circuses or traveling animal acts.

Animal Law Memo #14-A (S4363A/A4005A) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts.

Animal Law Memo #15 (S6365/A2881) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to requiring property owners and lessors of certain properties that have been vacated to inspect such property for abandoned animals.

Animal Law Memo #16 (S4533/A416) AN ACT to amend the Education Law, in relation to expanding the requirements for teaching humane education to secondary school students and provides for the verification of compliance of such instruction.

Animal Law Memo #17 (S5341/A2718) AN ACT to amend the General Business Law, in relation to the licensing and regulation of pet grooming facilities.

Animal Law Memo #18 (S2163B/A5109A) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to prohibiting the slaughtering of horses for human or animal consumption.

Animal Law Memo #19 (S4163/A1149) AN ACT to amend the Insurance Law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from cancelling, refusing to issue or renew renters’ insurance based on the breed of dog owned.

Animal Law Memo #20 (S7287A/A3505A) AN ACT to amend the Education Law, in relation to requiring higher education research facilities to make available certain information regarding the adoption of dogs or cats.

Support Letter (S2163B/A5109A) An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the slaughtering of horses for human or animal consumption.

Support Letter (S4099/A2917) An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to making contests, competitions, tournaments and derbies to take wildlife unlawful

Support Letter (S1677A/A3552A) An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to increasing fines for selling disabled Equidae

Animal Law Memo #21 (S142/A3569) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to restricting the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats.

Animal Law Memo #22 (S1960/A270) AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to prohibiting the use of performance-enhancing drugs in horseracing

Animal Law Memo #23 (S4198/A4243) AN ACT to enact the “New York wildlife crossing act”; to direct the department of transportation to identify sites along all highways, thruways, and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity; and to create a priority list of wildlife crossing opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Animal Law Memo #24 (S6796/A6947) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to strengthening enforcement efforts of the state’s anti-slaughter of racehorses and race horse breeding stock law.

Animal Law Memo #25 (S7098/A7808) AN ACT to amend the public buildings law, in relation to directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state- owned buildings, and for other purposes.

Animal Law Memo #25-A (S7098A/A7808A) AN ACT to amend the public buildings law, in relation to directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned buildings, and for other purposes.

Animal Law Memo #26 (S7608/A7903) AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing veterinarians to provide free veterinary care services to individuals in shelters to receive mandatory continuing education credit.

Animal Law Memo #27 (S6257A/A1903A) AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the development of uniform standards for the coloring of wind turbine rotor blades.

Animal Law Memo #28 (S7556/A7586) AN ACT providing for standardbred equine drug testing standards by permitting the New York State Gaming Commission to participate in the interstate compact on anti-doping and drug testing standards.

Animal Law Memo #29 (S6315A/A54A) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law in relation to restraint of outdoor dogs and other animals.

Animal Law Memo #30 (S5325/A8211) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #31 (S7845/A8276) AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to providing for the issuance of pet insurance.

Animal Law Memo #32 (S4993-C/A6244-C) AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to allowing the presence of dogs in state parks.

Animal Law Memo #33 (S6905/A7624) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the environmental conservation law in relation to prohibiting the use of primates in entertainment acts.

2021-2022

Animal Law Memo #1  (S.90; A.696) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the penal law, in relation to detecting, disrupting and dismantling violent enterprise animal cruelty and appropriately punishing individuals associated with such enterprise cruelty; and to repeal certain provisions of the agriculture and markets law relating thereto.

Animal Law Memo #2 (S.960; A.2152) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets Law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #3 (S.1442; A.4154) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the prohibition of the slaughter of race horses and race horse breeding stock; to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to requiring race horses to be microchipped; and to amend the tax law, in relation to gifts for thoroughbred aftercare.

Animal Law Memo #4 (S.2176; A.456) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets law in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #5 (S.3835; A.1903) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores.

Animal Law Memo #6 (S. 4081; A.1769) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring property owners and lessors of certain properties that have been vacated to inspect such property for abandoned animals.

Animal Law Memo #7 (S.4254; A4075) AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners’ insurance based on the breed of dog owned.

Animal Law Memo #8 (S.1484; A.3283) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to methods used to capture or dispose of nuisance wildlife.

Animal Law Memo #10 (S.5156; A.1549) AN ACT to amend the Executive Law, in relation to the creation of an animal cruelty and animal fighting database.

Animal Law Memo #11 (S.3525-A; A.5315-A) AN ACT to amend the Judiciary Law, in relation to the creation of a court-appointed advocate for animals.

Animal Law Memo #12 (S.4839-A; A.5623-A) AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.

Animal Law Memo #14 (S.2783; A.715) AN ACT to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation to authorizing emergency medical service personnel to provide basic first aid to cats and dogs under certain circumstances.

Animal Law Memo #15 (S.1148; A.6107) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to requiring the Commissioner of THE Department of Agriculture and Markets to establish licensing and educational standards for individuals providing canine training for non-service and non-police dogs.

Animal Law Memo #16 (S.4248; A.5775) AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to requiring the court to consider the best interest of a companion animal when awarding possession in a divorce or separation proceeding.

Animal Law Memo #17 (S.5058; A.5728) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to prohibiting the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on state-owned land and land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply.

Animal Law Memo #18 (S.6713; A.7122) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to animal response teams.

Animal Law Memo #19 (S.4866; A.3930) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to increasing certain penalties relating to endangered and special species, species of special concern and illegal ivory articles and rhinoceros horns. (Status: Passed Both Houses)

Animals Memo #20 (S.5439/A.703) AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the prohibition on the sale and manufacture of fur products.

Animals Memo #21  (S6005/A7852) AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to authorizing the division of veterans affairs to provide eligible veterans with financial assistance for purchasing, training and the upkeep of service dogs and emotional support dogs.

Animals Memo #22 (S8315A/A9284A) AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from excluding, limiting, restricting or reducing coverage on a homeowners insurance policy based on the breed of dog owned.

Animals Memo #23 (S6419/A1302) AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to assistance for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs and to repeal section 303-a of such law relating thereto.

Animals Memo #24 (S6484/A341) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the judicial process relating to a dog that caused death to a companion animal, farm animal or domestic animal while trespassing on property.

Animals Memo #25 (S6870B/A6246C) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to standards of care for animals held in, or being transported by, animal shelters; to amend the general business law, in relation to pet dealers; to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing an animal shelter regulation fund; and to repeal certain provisions of the agriculture and markets law, in relation to pet dealers.

Animals Memo #26 (S.8973/A.9296) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to authorizing the return of a dog to its owner or custodian.

2019-2020

Animal Law Memo #1 (S.2723; A.757) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #2 (S3078; A998) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores.

Animal Law Memo #2A (S3078; A998) AN ACT to amend the  environmental conservation law, in relation to making animal killing contests, competitions, tournaments and derbys unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #3 (S1974; A3535) AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to establishing the commission on retired horses.

Animal Law Memo #3A (S1974; A3535) AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to establishing the commission on retired horses.

Animal Law Memo #4 (S1486; A1111-A) AN ACT to amend the Environmental Conservation Law, in relation to prohibiting the sale, trade or bartering or possession with intent to sell, trade or barter of certain wild animals or wild animal products and the penalties imposed therefore.

Animal Law Memo #5 (S2602; A1090) AN ACT to amend the Executive Law, in relation to the creation of an animal cruelty and animal fighting database.

Animal Law Memo #6 (S3027; A25) AN ACT to amend the Judiciary Law, in relation to the creation of a court-appointed advocate for animals.

Animal Law Memo #7 (S2724; A5711) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to non-ambulatory animals.

Animal Law Memo #7A (S2724; A5711) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to non-ambulatory animals.

Animal Law Memo #8 (S4253-A; A722-A) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to making contests, competitions, tournaments and derbys to take wildlife unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #8A (S4253-A; A722-A) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to making contests, competitions, tournaments and derbys to take wildlife unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #8B (S4253B/A9775) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to making contests, competitions, tournaments and derbys to take wildlife unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #9 (S4802; A6601) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of agriculture and markets to identify and develop standards for therapy dogs.

Animal Law Memo #10-GOV (S5098; A6600) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to designating certain species is vulnerable species and prohibiting the sale of articles made from such vulnerable species; and to require the department of environmental conservation to designate the giraffe as a vulnerable species.

Animal Law Memo #11-GOV (S5849; A1599) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to wildlife damage management.

Animal Law Memo #12-GOV (S5871; A6520) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing the marine mammal and sea turtle protection area.

Animal Law Memo #13-GOV (S4802; A6601) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of agriculture and markets to identify and develop standards for therapy dogs.

Animal Law Memo #14 (S5801; A663) AN ACT to amend the  agriculture and markets law in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #15 (S6172; A7331) AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to clarifying that reasonable accommodation to enable a person with a disability to use and enjoy a dwelling includes the use of an animal to alleviate the symptoms or effects of the disability.

Animal Law Memo #16 (S7542; A722-B) AN ACT to amend the  environmental conservation law, in relation to making animal killing contests, competitions, tournaments and derbys unlawful.

Animal Law Memo #18 (S6222/A1097) AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to requiring the court to consider the best interest of a companion animal when awarding possession in a divorce or separation proceeding

Animal Law Memo #19 (S5408/A3673) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of permits authorizing the use of wild animals in circuses

Animal Law Memo #20 (S7509A/A9509A, Part W) AN ACT to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law, in relation to enacting the interstate compact on anti-doping and drug testing standards (Part W)

Animal Law Memo #21 (S7066/A1880) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of agriculture and markets to establish licensing and educational standards for individuals providing canine training for non-service and non-police dogs.

Animal Law Memo #22 (S7119/A8841) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring property owners and lessors of certain properties that have been vacated to inspect such property for abandoned animals.

Animal Law Memo #23 (S7719/A9989) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the prohibition of the slaughter of race horses and race horse breeding stock; the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to requiring race horses to be microchipped; and to amend the tax law, in relation to gifts for thoroughbred aftercare

Animal Law Memo #24 (S7924/A723) AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners’ insurance based on the breed of dog owned

Animal Law Memo #25 (S94/A7727) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the penal law, in relation to detecting, disrupting and dismantling violent enterprise animal cruelty and appropriately punishing individuals associated with such enterprise cruelty; and to repeal certain provisions of the agriculture and markets law relating thereto

Animal Law Memo #26 (S5807-A/A8157-A) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Animal Law Memo #27 (S5973/A1301) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to methods used to capture or dispose of nuisance wildlife


2017-2018

Animal Law Memo #1 (S.1878; A.1594) AN ACT to amend the public housing law and the real property law, in relation to discrimination against owners of specific breeds of dog.

Animal Law Memo #2 (S.620; A.5050) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #3 (S.2075; A.4225) AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners’ based on the breed of dog owned.

Animal Law Memo #4 (S.4163; A.3844) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #5 (S.2167; A.668) AN ACT to amend the family court act, the criminal procedure law and the domestic relations law, in relation to an order of protection with respect to companion animals.

Animal Law Memo #6 (S.4718; A.1341) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the confinement of animals for food-producing purposes.

Animal Law Memo #7 (S.3687; A.435) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the installation and testing of fire protection systems at pet stores.

Animal Law Memo #8 (S.5146-A; A.284-A) AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to the licensing and regulation of pet groomers.

Animal Law Memo #9 (S.3954; A.4029) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the confinement of companion animals in unattended motor vehicles under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal; and to repeal section 353-d of such law relating thereto.

Animal Law Memo #10 (S.3221; A.2672) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring reasonable efforts be made in determining the owners of certain animals.

Animal Law Memo #11 (S.610-A; A.1986-A) AN ACT to amend the tax law and the state finance law, in relation to the rescued animals spay and neuter fund.

Animal Law Memo #12 (S.2098-B; A.464-B) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of elephants in entertainment acts.

Animal Law Memo #12-GOV (S.2098-B; A.464-B) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the use of elephants in entertainment acts.   —> See Recently Enacted Legislation AML 380.

Animal Law Memo #13-GOV (S.6565; A.6801-A) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to examining the need for standards for the designation of therapy dogs and the definition and identification of therapy dogs.

Animal Law Memo #14-GOV (S.4570-A; A.1839-B) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing standards regarding microchip technology used for identification of companion animals.  —> See Recently Enacted Legislation AML 111-A and AML 111-B.

Animal Law Memo #15 (S.3222; A.2676) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to outdoor restraint of dogs.

Animal Law Memo #16 (S.6910; A.4167) AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to establishing the commission on retired racehorses.

Animal Law Memo #17 (S.2473-A; A.4220-A) AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to the creation of the responsible retirement of racehorses fund; to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to a horse registration fee; and to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the responsible retirement of racehorses.

Animal Law Memo #18 (S.144; A.6735) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring the commissioner of agriculture and markets to establish licensing and educational standards for individuals providing canine training for non-service and non-police dogs.

Animal Law Memo #19 (S.1883-B; A.4010-B) AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to enacting the “Big Five African Trophies Act” relating to foreign game.

Animal Law Memo #20 (S.2714; A.3879) AN ACT to amend the real property law, in relation to prohibiting landlords from requiring animals that occupy the unit be de-clawed as a condition of rental.

Animal Law Memo #21 (S.4273; A.10049) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing a public registry for persons convicted of violating “Buster’s Law.”

Animal Law Memo #22 (S.5846-A; A.4012-A) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the slaughtering of horses for human consumption.

Animal Law Memo #23 (S.7375; A.8851) AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Animal Law Memo #24-GOV (S.7112; A.4956) AN ACT to amend Chapter 154 of the Laws of 1921, relating to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in relation to authorizing domestic companion animals be permitted to board any public transportation or public transportation service in the event of a state of emergency and evacuation of a region.

Animal Law Memo #25-GOV (S.4796-A; A.62-A) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to the proper venue for an impounding organization to file a petition for a security.

Animal Law Memo #26-GOV (S.7415-C; A.10082-B) AN ACT to amend the General Business Law, in relation to certain lease agreements concerning dogs and cats.

Animal Law Memo #27 (S.177-C;A.9970-B) AN ACT to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, in relation to the disposition of cats.