AB 957

Current law specifies animal welfare standards for persons responsible for

confining animals, including requirements to provide such animals with sufficient

food and water and standards for providing proper shelter. Current law also

identifies and prohibits a number of crimes against animals and requires rabies

vaccinations and local dog licenses and tags for dogs. Under current law, a city,

village, town, or county (political subdivision) may appoint humane officers who may,

in addition to law enforcement officers, investigate and enforce these state laws as

well as local ordinances relating to animals.

This bill prohibits political subdivisions from adopting certain regulations for

animal facilities in areas that are zoned exclusively or primarily for agricultural use,

unless the activity being regulated presents a substantial threat to public health or

safety. Specifically, the bill prohibits political subdivisions from establishing animal

welfare standards that are more stringent than those contained in state law or from

requiring or prohibiting animal medications or vaccinations that are not otherwise

required or prohibited under state law. The bill also prohibits political subdivisions

from regulating the use to which an animal will be put, either on a farm or facility

or after it leaves the farm or facility. In addition, under the bill, political subdivisions

may not regulate the species of animals that are allowed to be raised within an area

that is zoned exclusively or primarily for agricultural use. Under the bill, a political

subdivision may not enforce any existing regulations that conflict with the

provisions of the bill, unless the activity being regulated presents a substantial

threat to public health or safety.