Chairperson Humphries opened the Hearing on HB2535.

Jason Thompson, Office of Revisor of Statutes, presented the Bill Brief.  (Attachment 8)

Proponents:

Jasmine Kyle, Director, Southeast Kansas Humane Society, supports this bill because Kansas' animal cruelty statute was never meant to criminalize humane Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs. But, under the current law, broad language around abandonment can be misinterpreted to place responsible caregivers, shelters, and veterinarians at legal risk simply for returning a sterilized cat to its outdoor home after medical care.  (Attachment 9)

Ms. Kyle stood for questions.

Terry Humphrey, Executive Director, Kansas Pet Advocates, Inc., supports the bill. She testified that Kansas has communities struggling with unmanaged feral cat populations, making Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programs important. She also shared that Kansas State University has a veterinarian shelter medicine program which helps local communities with feral cat problems by canvasing neighborhoods, evaluating the problem, and then educating local TNVR organizations on how to best deal with the situation.  (Attachment 10)

Ms. Humphrey stood for questions.

Nika Orebaugh, Private Citizen, shared that animal control departments are currently unable to publicly support and assist in any TNVR programs due to the verbage of Kansas' animal cruelty statutes which prohibit the rendering of veterinary care to an animal  and then that animal's release, which may be construed as abandonment.   Vaccination for rabies is an important part of TNVR for the protection of the public.  (Attachment 11)

Ms. Orebaugh stood for questions.

Proponents Written Only:

Sydney Mollentine, President & Chief Executive Officer, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City  (Attachment 12)

Crystal Swann Blackdeer, Executive Director, Leavenworth County Humane Society, Inc.  (Attachment 13)

Zack Pistora, Kansas Sierra Club  (Attachment 14)

Midge Grinstead, Humane World for Animals  (Attachment 15)

Christy Fischer, Wichita Animal Action League  (Attachment 16)

Shanti Mikolajczyk, Double 25 Animal Sanctuary  (Attachment 17)

Kendra Anthony, Vice President, Kansas Animal Control Association  (Attachment 18)

Anne Langston, Animal Control Officer and Shelter Manager, Ulyssses, Kansas  (Attachment 19)

Chairperson Humphries closed the Hearing on HB2535.

Chairperson Humphries adjourned the meeting.