LD 1545
pg. 7
Page 6 of 8 An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws Page 8 of 8
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LR 1899
Item 1

 
it the commissioner considers necessary to determine whether the
public interest will be served by the issuance of the license. The
commissioner may issue the license provided that the research or
teaching institution, by reason of its standards, facilities,
practices or activities, is a fit and proper institution to receive
the license and that its issuance is in the public interest. The
standards for licensure shall be are those contained in the United
States Code, Title 7, Section 2143, and any federal regulations
issued pursuant to that law. Nothing in this chapter may be
construed to be more restrictive than federal law. In the case of
conflict between state law and federal law or a mandatory rule,
regulation or order of the Federal Government or its agencies, the
federal law, rule, regulation or order shall govern governs. Each
research or teaching institution licensed under this chapter,
before issuance of the license, shall pay to the commissioner a
license fee of $50 $200. Each license shall expire expires on June
30th next following the date of issue. The commissioner shall
annually renew each license upon the application of the licensee,
unless, after notice and hearing as provided in this chapter, it
the commissioner finds that, by reason of the standards,
facilities, practices or activities of the licensee, the renewal is
not in the public interest. The commissioner, after notice and
hearing as provided in this chapter, may modify, fail to renew,
suspend or revoke any license if it the commissioner finds that, by
reason of the standards, facilities, practices or activities of the
licensee, the continuation of the license is not in the public
interest.

 
Sec. 18. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§1-B, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 425, §8,
is amended to read:

 
1-B. Aggravated cruelty to animals. A person is guilty of
aggravated cruelty to animals if that person, in a manner
manifesting a depraved indifference to animal life or suffering,
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:

 
A. Causes extreme physical pain to an animal;

 
B. Kills Causes the death of an animal; or

 
C. Physically tortures an animal.

 
SUMMARY

 
This bill increases fees for dog licensing and other licenses
administrated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Resources. Dog licenses will be increased from $7.50 to $20 for
dogs capable of producing young and from $4 to $10 for dogs
incapable of producing young. The bill also requires that


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