‘Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources To Evaluate and Recommend Revisions to the Animal Welfare Laws and Department Rules Regarding Breeding Kennels’

‘Sec. 1. Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to convene a working group. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall convene a working group to evaluate and recommend changes to the statutory definition of "breeding kennel" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3907, subsection 8-A. The commissioner shall invite representatives of the following stakeholder groups to participate in the working group: the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, the Maine Federation of Humane Societies, an animal advocacy organization, the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs, the American Kennel Club, the Down East Sled Dog Club, the Maine Animal Control Officers Association and the Maine Town and City Clerks' Association. The commissioner shall invite at least one owner of a licensed breeding kennel and one owner of a licensed cat breeding facility to participate in the working group. The director of the animal welfare program within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, the state veterinarian assigned to the animal welfare program and a member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council designated by the commissioner shall participate in the working group. The department shall provide staff to and coordinate meetings of the working group using existing resources or funds specifically donated to facilitate this undertaking; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, in consultation with the working group under section 1, shall review the following issues within the parameters of applicable federal and state laws: the current statutory definition of "breeding kennel," recent and proposed revisions to the definition and the practical impact of those revisions; criteria or documentation that the animal welfare program within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and municipal animal control officers must use to determine whether a facility meets the definition of "breeding kennel"; and the department's rules and proposed revisions to the rules pertaining to the licensing and regulation of breeding kennels; and be it further

Sec. 3. Reporting date established. Resolved: That, no later than January 15, 2009, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall submit a report with findings and recommendations pursuant to the review under section 2, including any recommended legislative changes, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over animal welfare matters. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over animal welfare matters may submit legislation pertaining to the definition and regulation of breeding kennels to the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.’