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NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATION
S695 Increase the maximum
municipal dog license fee from $7 to $21 – This bill was sponsored
by Loretta Weinberg; however, the increase in the license fee was
included in several other bills. It was approved as public law
January 24, 2007, despite our efforts to lower the increase. We had
testified at both Senate and Assembly Committee hearings regarding the
increase, as well as writing the sponsors.
As written, the municipality
is not required to increase the fee, but it does have the option to do
so.
A2820 concerns
homeowners insurance with respect to dogs
The Legislative statement for this bill says “This bill, as
amended, provides that: 1) an insurer shall not deny, cancel, or
non-renew a homeowners insurance policy solely on the basis of the
type or specific breed of dog harbored upon the insured property; 2)
notwithstanding this prohibition, an insurer may offer or issue a
policy which contains an exclusion against covering any liability for
a dog, or on the basis of the type or specific breed of dog, harbored
upon the insured property; and 3) whenever an insurer offers or issues
a policy, or rider, endorsement, or other amendment to the policy,
which includes liability or other coverage for a dog, nothing within
the bill shall prohibit the use of underwriting guidelines, risk
classifications, or other rules of any rating-system which establish
rates and premiums for that coverage on the basis of the type or
specific breed of dog harbored upon the property.”
It was passed by the Assembly
in June 2006 and reported from the Senate Committee February 2007.
A2649. The Animal Cruelty
Bill. This bill recodifies Title 4 criminal animal cruelty
offenses in State criminal code; increases level of certain offenses
and crimes; establishes new offenses; revises civil penalties; repeals
various sections of law. It was originall introduced in February
2006 and has undergone several major revisions. A Floor Substitute
was introduced in January. Two Amendments have since passed. We
have worked with the Primary Sponsor (Jeff Van Drew).
A1827 Requires all cats
and dogs released from pounds and shelters be sterilized with certain
exceptions; establishes special fund for sterilizations; increases
certain dog-related fees and dedicates increases to the fund.
Nothing new to report regarding this bill. We have met with the
sponsor, Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, her legislative assistant,
and representatives of other organizations more than once. We were to
receive a revised copy of the bill.
To voice an opinion, contact
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, 7 Centre Drive, Monroe, NJ 08831,
phone 609-395-9911, FAX: 609-395-9032, email Asm.Greenstein@njleg.org
A3542 is almost
identical to A1827. Assemblyman Van Drew is the sponsor of A3542. It
is likely that both bills will eventually be merged into one bill.
To voice an opinion: contact
Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, 21 North Main Street, Cape May Court House,
NJ 08210, phone 609-465-0700, FAX: 609-465-4578, email
Asm.VanCrew@njleg.org.
LOCAL LEGISLATION
CLIFTON is expected to
introduce an ordinance setting a limit on how long a dog can bark.
That limit will be 30-minute limit over two consecutive days.
Clifton already has nuisance and noise laws that address situations
like constant barking. Officials acknowledge that those laws are
sometimes difficult to enforce.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY –
Barbara Spector (barbaraspector@comcast.net)
is seeking volunteers to help in changing the law regarding
chaining/tethering dogs. Her specific interest is in Washington
Township.
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