Hopes were high two years ago at the beginning of the 2023-24 legislative session. With the Democratic party in control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s office, advocates were hopeful for a streamlined legislative process and a period of exceptional productivity in Lansing.
The 2023-24 session got off to a strong start. Regarding animal welfare legislation, “Teddy’s Law,” SB 148 and SB 149, was enacted in December 2023 and went into effect in February 2024. Originally introduced in the 2019-20 session, this legislation had to be reintroduced in 2021-22 and 2023-24. As passed, the law now requires that a research facility performing research on a dog or cat that the attending veterinarian determines is suitable for adoption must offer that animal to its employees or a registered Michigan animal protection shelter for adoption at the end of the animal’s service as a research subject.
Unfortunately, the 2023-24 session ended with the House adjourning abruptly ahead of schedule because it was unable to convene a quorum of legislators. Our bond-or-forfeit bills, which had passed the Senate and the House Criminal Justice Committee, were still awaiting a floor vote when the House adjourned.
The Senate adjourned not long after the House, having spent its last hours passing only the most partisan legislation under consideration. Unfortunately, uncontroversial bills with bipartisan support, like our sentencing guidelines bills, which had passed the House and were discharged from the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety committee without needing a hearing, never received the final floor vote that would have sent them to the Governor’s office for signature.
Bills that were not enacted into law by the end of the 2023-24 legislative session expired. A new legislative session, the 2025-26 session, has now begun. The Democrats still control the Senate and the Governor’s office, but as a result of the November 2024 elections, the Republicans will control the House. Any bills from the previous session that expired will have to be reintroduced this session.
We are committed to continuing the work we’ve been doing to advocate for the bond-or-forfeit bills and sentencing guidelines bills. As was the case with Teddy’s Law, the only companion animal welfare legislation to pass this session, it typically takes multiple legislative sessions for animal welfare legislation to be enacted. Work is already underway to reintroduce the bond-or-forfeit bills and sentencing guidelines bills.
We are going to keep working to improve animal welfare and create a more humane community while serving as a voice for the animals through advocacy. Together, we can continue to make a difference in animals’ lives. If you know someone who you think would be interested in this information, please forward this to them and encourage them to sign up for our Legislative Action Network.