DOG COLLAR: UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL                                                 H.B. 5215 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 5215 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Triston Cole

House Committee:  Natural Resources

Senate Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to prohibit an individual other than the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of a dog, or a law enforcement officer, an animal control officer, or an animal protection shelter employee acting in his or her official capacity, from willfully or maliciously removing a collar from that dog with the intent to remove traceable evidence of the dog's ownership.

An individual who violated the bill would be responsible for a State civil infraction and would have to be ordered to pay a civil fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $2,500. Nothing in the bill could be construed to affect the civil or criminal liability of an individual under any other applicable law of the State.

Proposed MCL 750.70a                                             Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government. An increase in civil infractions could place incremental resource demands on law enforcement and courts. Any increase in fine revenue would be statutorily dedicated to public libraries.

Date Completed:  10-20-16                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

This 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.