ARFF - 2005 Legislative Session

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Please Help Move HB 297 - Animal Cruelty

Companion bills, SB 558 and HB 297, increase penalties (fines and jail sentences) in the worst cases of animal cruelty and ban the cruel rodeo event of "bull tailing" - in which participants on horseback attempt to flip a bull by pulling on his tail repeatedly during a timed period. This cruel event causes severe physical harm to the bulls and encourages kicking, shocking and even breaking of their sensitive tails.
In the Florida Senate, SB 558, sponsored by Sen. Nan Rich, was approved on March 31 by the Florida Senate in a 39-0 vote! But, in the House of Representatives, the companion bill, HB 297, is still waiting to be heard by its first of three committees. With just a few weeks left of committee meetings, it is urgent that this bill be scheduled for a hearing by the House Agriculture Committee. You Can Help! Please contact Representative Poppell and Representative Stansel, the Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs, and politely ask that they schedule HB 297 for a hearing as soon as possible. Rep. Ralph Poppell Phone: (850) 488-3006 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Dwight Stansel Phone: (850) 488-9835 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Please contact any other committee members who represent your district or county where you live, and ask that they support HB 297 and encourage it to be scheduled for a hearing by the House Agriculture Committee. Please only contact your Representative. House Agriculture Committee members: Rep. Ralph Poppell (counties represented: portions of Brevard and Indian River). Phone: (850) 488-3006 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Dwight Stansel (counties represented: Lafayette, Suwannee, Gilchrist, portions of Columbia and Alachua). Phone: (850) 488-9835 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Bruce Antone (county represented: portions of Orange). Phone: (850) 488-0760 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Sheri McInvale (county represented: portions of Orange). Phone: (850) 488-0660 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Shelley Vana (counties represented: portions of Palm Beach). Phone: (850) 488-4791 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Edward B. "Ed" Bullard (county represented: portions of Miami-Dade). Phone: (850) 488-5430 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. David Rivera (counties represented: portions of Miami-Dade and Collier). Phone: (850) 488-7897 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Larry Cretul (counties represented: portions of Alachua, Levy and Marion). Phone: (850) 488-0887 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Denise Grimsley (counties represented: Highlands, Glades, Hendry, and portions of Collier). Phone: (850) 488-3457 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Paige Kreegel (counties represented: Desoto, portions of Charlotte and Lee). Phone: (850) 488-9175 or send an e-mail by clicking here. Rep. Baxter G. Troutman (counties represented: Hardee, portions of Polk). Phone: (850) 488-9465 or send an e-mail by clicking here.

HB 971: ARFF is supporting this bill sponsored by Rep. Randy Johnson that would allow voters in November 2006 to repeal the constitutional authorization for Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to add slot machines at dog tracks and other pari-mutuel facilities in those counties.