Press Release - 3 Animal Welfare Bills
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008
CONTACTS
Laura K. Chapin, 303.866.6386, laura.chapin@state.co.us
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER SIGNS 3 ANIMAL WELFARE BILLS INTO LAW
Gov. Bill Ritter signed several pieces of legislation into law today, including three animal-welfare bills:
HB 1304 (Solano/Schwartz), Illegal Taking/Possessing of Bald Eagles: This bill increases the penalties for poaching bald eagles in Colorado, with each violation now carrying a fine of $1,000 to $100,000, up to a year in jail, or both. Additionally, a fine of 20 license suspension points will be assessed. Colorado currently has 42 breeding pairs of bald eagles. Last year, the federal government de-listed the bald eagle as threatened or endangered for the lower 48 states, leaving penalties for killing, taking or possessing an eagle very low. This law gives the bald eagle the same status in Colorado as the golden eagle, Rocky Mountain goat, desert bighorn sheep, American peregrine falcon, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Photo Caption Information: Gov. Ritter signs House Bill 1304 into law while Sigrid Noll Ueblacker of the Broomfield-based Birds of Prey Foundation, state Rep. Judy Solano (far left), Sen. Gail Schwartz -- and an eagle -- look on.
HB 1200 (Soper/Tochtrop), Computer-Assisted "Remote Hunting": This bill prohibits computer-assisted "remote hunting," which allows a person to use a computer to remotely control, aim and fire a weapon at wildlife while the computer user is off site, even hundreds of miles away. Some private operators offer this type of activity to clients in other states. "Colorado has a long and proud tradition of hunting," Gov. Ritter said. "I believe that if you're going to hunt, you ought to be in the same vicinity as the animal you are hunting. It only seems right."
HB 1042 (McKinley/Brophy), Animal Massage Therapy Exemption: This bill expands treatment options for animals, creating an exemption to the Colorado Veterinary Practice Act for animal massage therapy.
Other bills Gov. Ritter signed into law today:
|
Bill # |
Short Title |
Sponsors |
Date Action |
Action |
|
HB08-1042 |
Animal Massage Therapy Exemption |
MCKINLEY / BROPHY |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1057 |
Tourist-Oriented Signs Along Rural Hwys |
SONNENBERG / WILLIAMS |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1063 |
Mental Health MCO Capitated Payments |
PRIMAVERA / ISGAR |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1147 |
Witness Protection Training Report |
TODD & ... / SPENCE |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1189 |
Prohibit Personnel Sys Employee Strikes |
RIESBERG / GIBBS |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1192 |
DOC Inmate Copayment Medical Services |
MITCHELL V. / SPENCE |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1197 |
Extend Fitzsimons Trust Fund Repeal |
MCFADYEN / WINDELS |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1200 |
Computer-assisted Remote Hunting |
SOPER / TOCHTROP |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1273 |
Sunset Bingo Games Chance Raffle Board |
GALLEGOS & ... / ROMER |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1297 |
Suppl Approp Dept Of Public Safety |
BUESCHER / KELLER |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1304 |
Illegal Taking & Possessing Bald Eagles |
SOLANO / SCHWARTZ |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
HB08-1333 |
Capital Construction Fund Transfers |
BUESCHER / KELLER |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
SB08-012 |
Transportation Commission Qualifications |
TAKIS / VAAD |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
|
SB08-046 |
RTD Board Of Directors Salary Increase |
VEIGA / JUDD |
4/3/2008 |
Signed |
For a complete list of legislation Gov. Ritter has signed into law during the 2008 legislative session, click here.