CS/HB 219

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Act;
3	providing a short title; creating s. 570.97, F.S.;
4	creating a direct-support organization for the Department
5	of Agriculture and Consumer Services; providing for the
6	organization and operation of the direct-support
7	organization; providing for the purpose of the direct-
8	support organization; providing for the membership of the
9	board of directors; providing for honorary board members
10	of the direct-support organization; providing for
11	appointment of Gertrude Maxwell or her designee as the
12	first honorary board member of the direct-support
13	organization; providing an effective date.
14
15	WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 800,000 homeless,
16	discarded, abandoned, stray, and unclaimed dogs and cats are
17	euthanized in the state each year, and
18	WHEREAS, in 7 years one female cat and her offspring can
19	theoretically produce 420,000 cats, and in 6 years one female
20	dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs, and
21	WHEREAS, the cost to spay or neuter a pet or feral cat is
22	about $20-$70 per animal, while the approximate cost to capture,
23	house, feed, and eventually euthanize a homeless animal is about
24	$100, and
25	WHEREAS, reducing euthanasia of unwanted animals can save
26	lives of companion animals and potential service animals and
27	save tax dollars, and many homeless animals can be trained as
28	service animals and therapy animals, NOW, THEREFORE,
29
30	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
31
32	Section 1.  This act may be cited as the "Gertrude Maxwell
33	Save a Pet Act."
34	Section 2.  Section 570.97, Florida Statutes, is created to
35	read:
36	570.97  Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Direct-Support
37	Organization.--
38	(1)  The Gertrude Maxwell Save a Pet Direct-Support
39	Organization is created within the Department of Agriculture and
40	Consumer Services and shall be governed by this section and ss.
41	570.902 and 570.903. The purpose of this direct-support
42	organization is to provide grants to animal shelters for spaying
43	and neutering animals, provide grants for shelters and services
44	during times of emergencies, and develop and disseminate pet
45	care education materials. The direct-support organization shall
46	not participate in, endorse, or financially support political
47	activities at the national, state, or local level.
48	(2)  The board of directors of the direct-support
49	organization shall include one representative of each of the
50	following groups as recommended by that group: the Florida
51	Veterinary Medical Association, the Cat Fanciers' Association,
52	the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs, a humane organization
53	designated by the commissioner, the Florida Animal Control
54	Association, the National Rifle Association, a consumer member
55	not affiliated with any of the aforementioned associations, and
56	the commissioner or his or her designee.
57	(3)  The board of directors of the direct-support
58	organization may appoint up to three nonvoting honorary members.
59	Nominees should be individuals, companies, or organizations that
60	have exemplified themselves or have made significant
61	contributions to the health, safety, or well-being of animals.
62	Honorary board members shall serve for a maximum of two
63	consecutive annual terms. The commissioner shall appoint the
64	board of directors as well as the honorary board members.
65	Section 3.  Gertrude Maxwell or her designee shall be
66	appointed as the first honorary member of the board of directors
67	of the direct-support organization created by this act.
68	Section 4.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.