Amend the bill in section 1 in subsection 1-A in the 6th line (page 1, line 8 in L.D.) by striking out the following: " commissioner" and inserting the following: ' Maine State Bar Association'

Amend the bill in section 1 in subsection 1-A in paragraph B in the first line (page 1, line 20 in L.D.) by striking out the following: " department" and inserting the following: ' Maine State Bar Association'

Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3-C in the 6th and 7th lines (page 1, lines 30 and 31 in L.D.) by striking out the following: " Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry" and inserting the following: ' Maine State Bar Association'

Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3-C in paragraph B in the first line (page 2, line 5 in L.D.) by striking out the following: " Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry" and inserting the following: ' Maine State Bar Association'

Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.

summary

The bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to keep a list of attorneys with knowledge of animal issues and the legal system and a list of law schools that have students with an interest in animal issues and the legal system, and requires the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to provide that list to the courts. The courts use the list to appoint a separate advocate to represent the interests of justice in cases involving animal cruelty. This amendment moves the responsibilities concerning the list from the department and the commissioner to the Maine State Bar Association.