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The following bills went “on consent,” meaning that because compromises were worked out, all committee members agreed unanimously to vote yes.
S.B. 235, AN ACT CONCERNING VETERINARY REPORTING OF DOGS USED IN ANIMAL FIGHTING will empower veterinarians to report animal abuse if they suspect it.
S.B. 241, AN ACT CONCERNING BOATING SAFETY, recognizing the increase in boating traffic on our waterways that started in the pandemic, provides incentives, funding and staff for the increased enforcement of Connecticut's boating safety laws.
S.B. 242, AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP ON THE RESTORATION OF EEL GRASS helps restore this vital link in our maritime ecosystem.
H.B. 5294, AN ACT CONCERNING THE INTENTIONAL RELEASE OF CERTAIN BALLOONS curtails the number of helium balloons released and recognizes their devastating effect on wildlife.
H.B. 5296, AN ACT CONCERNING THE OPEN SPACE AND WATERSHED LAND ACQUISITION GRANT PROGRAM makes more resources available to protect open land.
I voted “yes” on the following bills, which were not unanimous.
S.B. 237, AN ACT CONCERNING THE FUNDING OF FISH HATCHERIES, in which we had to balance the needs of those who fish recreationally with the reality that there is always a risk to the ecological balance whenever non-native species are introduced.
S.B. 240, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE TO MITIGATE SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS, which will train applicators in safe application practices.
H.B. 5039, AN ACT CONCERNING MEDIUM AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLE EMISSION STANDARDS will improve our air quality by allowing Connecticut to implement the medium and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards set by the state of California. Some years ago, California enacted stringent standards in an effort to cut down on its severely polluted air. Since then, states across the country have voted to match California's standards, and this would bring Connecticut into the fold. (For more information on the California standards and how well they've worked, CLICK HERE.)
H.B. 5295, AN ACT CONCERNING AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION studies the implementation of a new online dog registration system that will be more convenient than going to town hall, and makes licenses for therapy and service dogs free. (An earlier provision allowing for the sale of rabbits for meat was removed.)
H.B. 5297, AN ACT CONCERNING THE MULTIPLICITY OF AFFECTING FACILITIES IN CERTAIN CENSUS BLOCK GROUPS IN THE STATE, furthers environmental justice by requiring a report on recommended revisions to the state's law regulating air pollutants in lower income communities.
H.B. 5293, AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF WILD OR EXOTIC ANIMALS IN TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS bans circuses but allows certified educational exhibits in schools. I consider this an important win for those who care about the humane treatment of animals.
And I voted “no” on the following bills.
S.B. 244, AN ACT CONCERNING WILDLIFE THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO LIVESTOCK, POULTRY OR BEES. I voted “no” because this bill would have opened the door to the killing of black bears beyond the rights already granted to farmers, who are already allowed to kill bears to defend their livestock and crops.
H.B. 5292, AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF PINK BLAZE CLOTHING FOR HUNTING. I voted “no” for two reasons: 1) the NRA has promulgated the use of the color pink to appeal (in what I consider a sexist way) to women in the hopes more women will become gun-owners; and 2) Approximately one in 12 men (8%) have colorblindness, in which red and green both appear brown. So using pink — which is a shade of red — to enhance safety is actually increasing the risk of accidental injury or death in a high percentage of male hunters.
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