HB518 Alabama 2015 Session

Under existing law, the crime of cruelty to a dog or cat in the first degree is a Class C felony

This bill would create the crime of killing a hunting dog and make the crime a Class C felony

This bill would provide for penalties, suspension of hunting privileges, and payment of restitution

This bill would also provide for the forfeiture of hunting gear and firearms used to commit the violation

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to animal cruelty; to create the crime of killing a hunting dog and make the crime a Class C felony; to provide for penalties, suspension of hunting privileges, and payment of restitution; to provide for the forfeiture of hunting gear and firearms used to commit the violation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.