Arkansas Senate Bill SB339

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/23
• Refer: 2/27/23
• Report Pass: 3/14/23
• Engrossed: 3/16/23
• Refer: 3/16/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

To Amend The Law Regarding Working Animal Protection; And To Provide For Working Animal Protection In Counties.

Impact

The bill potentially alters the legal landscape concerning how counties regulate working animals. It guarantees the right to work these animals, prohibiting counties from enacting ordinances that would impede their use or create undue hardship connected to their employment in various services. While maintaining existing state regulations on animal care and public health, the bill seeks to enhance protections specific to working animals, thereby ensuring their continued operational utility and welfare in professional settings.

Summary

Senate Bill 339 aims to amend existing laws concerning the protection of working animals in Arkansas. This legislation seeks to establish clear definitions and protections for 'working animals', which include nonhuman animals utilized for specific duties in commerce and animal enterprises. The bill further emphasizes the rights of individuals and organizations to use working animals while ensuring their welfare. It intends to provide clarity on the legal status of these animals and the conditions under which they can be used across various sectors such as education, transport, and ranching.

Contention

A significant point of contention revolves around the balance between state and local control. While the bill allows counties to make ordinances regarding public safety and animal care, it limits their authority over working animals, which may lead to concerns among local governments about their ability to address specific community needs regarding animal welfare. Critics may argue that this centralization detracts from local autonomy, potentially conflicting with how communities may wish to handle issues affecting working animals within their jurisdictions.