Shenanigans at the Texas Legislature!
RPOA received notice that HB 1451 has been placed on the Local and Consent
Calendar for this Thursday, March 14th.
We're working to get this bill pulled from the Consent Calendar so it will
go to a Floor Vote.
Dick Caldwell has given us permission to forward his excellent message below
to our TX RPOA E-News. As we speak RPOA representative Martine Huslig is at
the Capitol waiting to testify against HB 963, a Texas Humane Legislation
Network Bill designed to make the appeal cost prohibitive for animal owners.
Our members are the greatest and where else can so much animal expertise be
found?
Dick wrote,
This is the one [HB 1451] that made it to the local and consent calendar
Friday -
the so-called "puppy mill bill," more appropriately called the dog
breeder extinction bill. I have written about it before. HB 2116 is bad
too, but on the House web site that one is still pending in committee.
HB 1451 is what is immediately pressing, but stay tuned.
This url explains the local and consent calendar:
Guide to Texas Legislative Information--Process--Local Bills
Basically it is for noncontroversial bills: "Measures that are eligible
for consideration by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars are
bills that are local as defined by the house rules and bills and
resolutions to which no opposition is anticipated."
HB 1451 absolutely does not fit, but whoever said AR [Animal Rights] doesn't
play dirty?
Also note: "A measure may be removed from the Local, Consent, and
Resolutions Calendar if debate exceeds 10 minutes or if five or more
representatives object to the consideration of the measure."
Either getting five Representatives to object or "filibustering" for 10
minutes would do it.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK THEM TO OBJECT.
HB1451 is NOT local and most definitely opposition CAN be anticipated.
If we get five to object, it will accomplish the immediate objective
and, equally importantly, point out to the Legislature that the
so-called "puppy mill bill" totally FAILS to meet the "no-brainer"
criterion that its supporters are trying to foist off on the legislature
and the public.
Telephone your Representative. Give them your name and contact info when
they ask - they want to verify that you are a constituent. Tell them:
I OPPOSE HB1451. IT IS BEING CALLED "THE PUPPY MILL BILL" AND THAT IS
100% DECEPTIVE. IT WILL WRECK DOG BREEDING IN TEXAS, EVEN HOBBY
BREEDING. IT IS WRONG FOR THIS BILL TO BE ON THE LOCAL AND CONSENT
CALENDAR. PLEASE ASK THE STAFFER YOU TALK TO TO ASK THE REPRESENTATIVE
TO OBJECT TO THAT AND ASK THAT IT BE REMOVED FROM THE LOCAL AND CONSENT
CALENDAR.
A search box to find your representative is at
Texas House of Representatives - Frequently Asked Questions
- it will give you contact info also.
Another useful button is on the House home page
Texas House of Representatives - "click "how do I" to find out how to
track a bill, etc, as well as to find out your representative.
This certainly highlights the sneakiness of the bill's supporters. They
KNOW it is
controversial but they are making a mockery of process in the House to
try to steamroll it through.
Dick Caldwell
Glengowan Goldens