HB 153-FN (2025): establishing a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.

HB 153-FN (2025)

establishing a committee to study adding statewide resources to assist with the investigation, training, prosecution, and prompt response of animal cruelty.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Environment and Agriculture
• Senate committee: Energy and Natural Resources
• Subject: Study Committees and Commissions
• Chapter law: 8

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2025, with 12 people signed in online: 11 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on January 28, 2025, February 4, 2025, February 11, 2025, February 14, 2025 and February 18, 2025. The committee met in executive session on February 18, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0443h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0443h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 6, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 6, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On March 6, 2025 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 27, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on April 17, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 8, 2025, making it Chapter 8 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Barbara Comtois (R - Belk 7) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Catherine Kenny (R - Hills 13)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Judy Aron (R - Sull 4)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Rep. Peter Bixby (D - Straf 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2025, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• January 28, 2025, 11:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 4, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 11, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 14, 2025, 9:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 18, 2025, 9:30 AM: full committee work session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• February 18, 2025, 10:45 AM: executive session, House Environment and Agriculture, LOB 301-303
• March 6, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 18, 2025, 9:40 AM: hearing, Senate Energy and Natural Resources, SH 103
• March 27, 2025: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 6, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0443h — voice vote, passed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 14, page 7
• SC 13
• SC 14