HB 2470 Update, March 27

A second public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 30, at 3:00 p.m., and the HSUS propaganda is in full swing. 

As of this writing, the hearing committee has not shown an amended version of the bill.  The hearing will be held without the public or the  opposition to HB 2470 having any knowledge of what has been changed, or if any changes have been made at all.  We have contacted our representatives asking for the amended version, but as of Thursday, 3/26, even Representative Gilliam's office (committee member) was not aware of any updates or changes to the bill.

Most disturbing, is the lack of understanding on behalf of so many people who are interested in this bill.  I have spent many hours speaking with people about HB 2470, I watch numerous blogs on the subject to get a pulse on the public's perspective and to see if in general people really understand the ramifications of this bill.  It seems that understanding is limited only to the stated intent, and that very few people have taken the time to even read the draft.  The opposition's message is:  Understand it before you support it.

HB 2470 is not a "Puppy Mill Bill" - that misleading name is part of the HSUS propaganda.  HB 2470 will not work to stop dog abuse or neglect, and it will not stop substandard dog breeding in Oregon.  HB 2470 is effectively the "Anti-Breeder Bill". 

Opponents are asked to show up at the capital on Monday, March 30, at about 2:00.  The best show of opposition we have at this time, is numbers of people at the capital who are against this bill.  We need hundreds of opponents to send a visual message to the Consumer Protection Committee that HB 2470 is bad for Oregon and that the voters want it stopped.

Be there if at all possible - bring anyone and everyone you know who cares about good legislation, and who cares about protecting our freedoms from big money special interests like the HSUS.  Come with small banners or pickets with your opposition message.  A simple "NO HB 2470" is fine.  Please be there.

Jeff -

Update: HB 2470 Work Group Sessions

Following the public hearing of February 23, 2009, the Consumer Protection Committee chaired by Representative Paul Holvey, formed an ad hoc work group consisting of representatives for the HSUS, professional and hobby breeders, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, the NAIA, and professional training and boarding kennels.

The group met on March 10, and again on March 17, to try to reach agreements for amendments to HB 2470.  Not to the surprise of opponents to the bill, work group facilitator and Consumer Protection Committee Vice-Chair Representative Chuck Riley, sided with the HSUS in his announcement to the group that HB 2470 will be pushed forward, and that it will restrict the number of intact dogs any person may have in their care.

The opposition, consisting of breeders, the OVMA, NAIA, AKC, and a spokesperson for professional trainers offered numerous alternatives to the numeric restrictions and to other faults in the bill.  Suggestions included care standards for dogs in place of numeric restrictions on the number of dogs that can be kept, a consumer protection policy that would provide puppy quality assurance for buyers, and appropriate temporary kenneling standards that could be applied for transportation and containment of dogs at show and sporting events.

However, proponents of HB 2470 demonstrated that they are not willing to yield on the elements of the bill that are most detrimental to responsible dog owners, breeders, and kennel operators in Oregon.  It is apparent that the sponsors of the bill have no intention of making reasonable compromises, and that the work group was only a maneuver to convince the public that the sponsors were open to suggestions.

Representative Riley ended the March 17 session with his announcement to the group that there will be no further work group discussions. 

HB 2470 will now be amended according to the recommendations of the HSUS, and then scheduled for a second public hearing.   The hearing date has not yet been announced.

Please revisit this site soon for further updates.

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