November 4, 2004, Introduced by Senator JOHNSON and referred to the Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
A bill to establish the companion animal welfare fund in the
department of agriculture; to provide for the distribution of
money from the fund; to prescribe the powers and duties of
certain agencies and officials; and to provide for
appropriations.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
2 "companion animal welfare fund act".
3 Sec. 2. As used in this act:
4 (a) "Animal control shelter" and "animal protection shelter"
5 mean those terms as defined in section 1 of 1969 PA 287, MCL
6 287.331.
7 (b) "Companion animal" means a mammal that is kept by an
8 individual for companionship and pleasure and includes, but is
9 not limited to, dogs, cats, and horses.
1 (c) "Department" means the department of agriculture.
2 (d) "Fund" means the companion animal welfare fund created in
3 section 3.
4 Sec. 3. (1) The companion animal welfare fund is created in
5 the department to provide funds to promote sterilization and
6 adoption of companion animals and to increase and improve
7 enforcement of anticruelty laws in this state relating to
8 companion animals.
9 (2) The state treasurer shall credit to the fund all amounts
10 appropriated for this purpose under section 436 of the income tax
11 act of 1967, 1967 PA 281, MCL 206.436.
12 (3) The fund shall consist of the money credited to the fund
13 pursuant to section 436 of the income tax act of 1967, 1967 PA
14 281, MCL 206.436, any interest and earnings accruing from the
15 saving and investment of that money, and other appropriations,
16 money, or other things of value received by the fund.
17 (4) The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the
18 fund.
19 (5) Money in the fund at the close of the year shall remain
20 in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.
21 Sec. 4. (1) The money, interest, and earnings of the fund
22 shall be expended solely for the purposes described in this act.
23 (2) Money granted or received as a gift or donation to the
24 fund is available for distribution upon appropriation.
25 Sec. 5. (1) The department shall solicit proposals for
26 grants under this act.
27 (2) The department may request that the companion animal
1 advisory committee within the department of agriculture review
2 applications for grants from the fund and make recommendations to
3 the department for distribution of the money in the fund.
4 (3) The department shall approve proposals for funding under
5 this act. Only the following entities shall receive grants from
6 the fund:
7 (a) An animal control shelter or animal protection shelter.
8 (b) An organization exempt from taxation under section
9 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code that is based in this
10 state and whose primary purpose is to increase the sterilization
11 and adoption of companion animals or to increase and improve the
12 enforcement of state and local animal anticruelty laws,
13 ordinances, and regulations.
14 (4) The department shall make grants for only 1 or more of
15 the following purposes:
16 (a) To increase the availability of sterilization or adoption
17 services for companion animals.
18 (b) To provide information to the public about the value of
19 sterilization and adoption of companion animals.
20 (c) To increase public awareness of state and local animal
21 anticruelty laws, ordinances, and regulations.
22 (d) To increase and improve enforcement of state and local
23 animal anticruelty laws, ordinances, and regulations in this
24 state.
25 Sec. 6. The money in the fund that is available for
26 distribution shall be appropriated each year.
27 Enacting section 1. This act does not take effect unless
1 Senate Bill No. 1476.
2 of the 92nd Legislature is enacted into law.