4324: COMMITTEE SUMMARY (Date Completed: 2-8-10) - ELECTRONIC DOG LICENSE APPLICATION

ELECTRONIC DOG LICENSE APPLICATION H.B. 4324: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 4324 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Chuck Moss
House Committee: Agriculture
Senate Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs

Date Completed: 2-8-10

CONTENT The bill would amend the Dog Law to create an exception to a requirement that a dog license application include a valid certificate of current rabies vaccination, if the application were submitted electronically and met other requirements.

Under the Law, the owner of a dog that is at least four months old must apply to the treasurer of the county, township, or city where the owner resides, or to the treasurer's authorized agent, for a license for each dog he or she owns or keeps. As a rule, a dog owner must apply for a license annually by March 1, although a county board of commissioners may establish a different annual licensing deadline or a multiyear license.

A license application must state the breed, sex, age, color, and markings of the dog, and the name and address of the last previous owner. It also must be accompanied by a valid certificate of a current vaccination for rabies, with a vaccine licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, signed by an accredited veterinarian. The certificate must state the month and year of expiration for the rabies vaccination, in the veterinarian's opinion. Under the bill, if the license application were submitted electronically, the dog owner would not have to provide a valid certificate of a current rabies vaccination if the dog were licensed the previous year and its current rabies vaccination on record with the applicable local government official, or his or her authorized agent, remained valid.

(The Law allows a city to provide by resolution of its legislative body that the city clerk will perform the duties the Law imposes on the treasurer. In addition, a township or city treasurer or city clerk may enter into an agreement with the county treasurer for him or her to perform the duties of the township or city treasurer or city clerk.)

MCL 287.266 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Fiscal Analyst: David Zin

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. HB4324/0910