Advocating for Animals in New York StatePRESENTED BY: TRACEY COLLINSNEW YORK STATE HUMANE ASSOCIATION

New York State Humane Association

The New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) is a 501(c)(3) organization, incorporated in 1925. NYSHA’s guiding philosophy is to reduce animal suffering, to prevent animal cruelty, and to encourage compassion to all creatures.

NYSHA Continued

• Conduct fighting animal cruelty workshops

• Assist with animal cruelty cases across the state

• Advocate for animal-related issues, funding, and legislation

• Perform outreach activities

State Level Advocacy

NYSHA focuses most advocacy activities on the state level. We also work closely with other organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to promote better conditions and laws for animals in New York State and beyond.

New York State Government

New York State Legislature - Bicameral

Senate – 63 Assembly - 150

Leadership

Governor Andrew Cuomo

Senate Temporary President & Majority Leader John J. Flanagan

Senate Ind. Dem. Conference Leader & Coalition Co-Leader Jeffrey Klein

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

New York State Legislative Committees Senate Agriculture

Chair Patty Ritchie

Senate Environmental Conservation

Chair Thomas O’Mara

Assembly Agriculture Chair William Magee

Assembly Environmental Conservation

Chair Steven Englebright

Balance of Power

Politics In addition to knowing the structure of government, it is equally as important to know the politics of government. The party in power controls leadership, including committee chairs, and therefore determines what bills and issues will be acted upon during a legislative session.

Therefore, it just makes sense that when choosing who you are going to speak to or ‘lobby’ about a particular bill or issue, that you would target members who have the ability to actually impact the outcome.

Currently, the position of governor is held by a Democratic, and the Democrats hold the majority of seats in the NYS Assembly. In the Senate, the Republicans hold the majority of seats.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Idea

Introduction

Legislative Process

Signed by the Governor

From Committee to the Floor• Standing Committees meet on a regular basis to report bills to

either the next committee, or to the floor for a vote.

• Committee Chairs work with leaders to create committee agendas, where committee members vote on each measure on the week’s agenda.

• If a bill passes the committee, the full chamber will debate on the floor and then vote to pass or not pass the bill.

• A bill may be amended by the sponsor at any time during the committee or floor process.

Passing Into Law• The same version of the bill must

pass both houses.

• If the Assembly and Senate pass different versions, it cannot be delivered to the Governor unless one house amends their bill to conform to the other.

• The Governor has 10 business days to sign or veto a bill once it has reached his desk.

By the Numbers

Of 14,000 bills introduced each year…

2,000 are acted upon… and of those, 800 become law.

Facing the Obstacles

Politics

Opposing lobbies

Limited resources

Competing interests

Opposing Interests

Lobbying

Why Lobby?

• Without strong laws, animals aren’t protected.

• Laws legitimize society’s animal welfare concerns.

• Laws are needed when education is not enough.

• Animals can’t lobby—we must be their voice.

Know Your Representatives• New York State Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

• New York State Senate: http://www.nysenate.gov/

You are the paying customer. It is a good idea to get to know your own state representatives. Just keep in mind that your own representative might not be the best choice to SPONSOR your proposed bill. It doesn't mean however that you shouldn’t also meet with your own representative regarding your issue. As their constituent, you should make them aware of your views on particular issues and ask them to support or not support specific bills when appropriate.

Lobbing State Law Makers

• Call their office

• Write a letter or e-mail

• Attend public hearings, testify about animal issues

• Have in-person meetings with the legislator or legislative staff

In-Person Meetings

When meeting with members of the NYS Legislature or any elected official, keep in mind:

• Be polite and respectful

• Be specific and concise

• Stay on Topic

• Provide fact sheets and data

• Appeal to broader impact of the issue

Joining Forces

Don’t Go It Alone….Form a Coalition * Strength in numbers * Sharing of ideas and energy

* Credibility in numbers * Broader reach

* Maximize diverse skills & talents * Generate greater attention

Collective Voices for the Cause

Humane Lobby DayTuesday, March 24th

Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY

Humane Lobby Day Bills

A352 Rosenthal/S3201 LANZA: Consolidated Animal Crimes

A925 Rosenthal: Prohibits Tail Docking of Cattle

A1297 Rosenthal: Prohibits the Declawing of Cats

Consolidated Animal Crimes

Bill A352/S321 would improve enforcement by placing animal crimes under the Penal Code (criminal law), transferring from Agriculture and Markets Law, which is familiar, accessible, and taught to law enforcement personnel.

Tail Docking Ban

Proposal A925 would prohibit the unnecessary, painful, and inhumane practice known as tail-cutting or tail-docking of dairy cows.

Cat Declawing Ban

Bill A1297 would prevent needless suffering by prohibiting the declawing of cats except when deemed medically necessary.

NYSHA PRIORITIES

http://www.nyshumane.org/

Horse Slaughter Ban

Bill A4404A (Glick) would protect horses by prohibiting the brutal transport and slaughter of horses for human consumption.

Funding for Horse RetirementProposal A5342 (Glick) would create the responsible retirement of racehorses fund to require the racing industry to dedicate funding for the care of horses leaving the track.

Law Enforcement Training NYSHA is advocating for funding to be added to the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets agency budget for the development and implementation of training curriculum for law enforcement officers and dog control officers statewide regarding the animal cruelty statutes.

Turn Passion into Action

What You Can Do Penal Code Transfer: Assemblywoman Rosenthal,

Assemblyman Magee, Senator Lanza and Senator Ritchie

Horse Slaughter Ban: Assemblywoman Glick, Assemblyman Magee

Funding for Horse Retirement: Assemblywoman Glick, Assemblyman Magee

Funding for Law Enforcement Training: Assemblyman Magee, Senator Ritchie

Be Persistent…and Creative

And Always Remember…

You Help Ensure…

Animals Have a Voice and Seat at the Table!

Contact Me

Tracey Collins

New York State Humane Association

http://www.nyshumane.org/

Lilgreyhounds@aol.com