2006 -- S 2541

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LC02024

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2006

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A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

     Introduced By: Senators Perry, Tassoni, Gallo, and Damiani

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2006

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-19-22. Spaying and neutering fund. -- (a) There is hereby established a fund for the

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spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

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     (b) There is established a volunteer board to oversee the spaying and neutering fund

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which shall consist of five (5) members, serving a two (2) year term, not to exceed two

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consecutive terms; and be appointed by the following: one member shall be appointed by the

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governor; one by the speaker of the house; and one by the senate president. In addition, there

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shall be two members, who are members of one of the humane organizations in Rhode Island.

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These two members will be drawn by lottery, every two years. The list used in the lottery drawing

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shall be comprised of any certified of any certified 501(c)3 nonprofit humane organizations in the

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state of Rhode Island, who wish to participate as a volunteer member on the board.

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     (c) The board shall determine the funds to be distributed to eligible licensed animals

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shelters, releasing agencies, pounds or rescue leagues, as defined in this chapter for spaying and

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neutering.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 44-30 of the General Laws entitled "Personal Income Tax" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     44-30-2.10. Refund deduction for contribution to spaying and neutering of dogs and

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cats fund. -- (a) There shall be provided as a deduction from any refund from the Rhode Island

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personal income tax otherwise due to a taxpayer for a taxable year a contribution to the spaying

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and neutering of dogs and cats fund established in section 4-19-22. The provision for the

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contribution shall appear on the state personal income tax return as follows:

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     Spaying and neutering of animals fund. Check if you wish to contribute [] $1 [] $5 [] $10

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or [] $ (write in the amount of your tax REFUND for this program).

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     (b) The tax administrator shall annually forward by August 1, all contributions made to

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the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats fund to the General Treasurer to be deposited in the

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fund created in section 4-19-22. The General Treasurer shall make a one-time annual distribution

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of said funds as therein prescribed no later than September 30.

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     (c) The board shall make a report of funds received and disbursements each year,

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including which licensed animal shelters, releasing agencies, pounds or rescue leagues have

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received disbursements and what amount and will be reconcilable with the amount which the

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General Treasurer has provided, and this report shall be handed to the Department of

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Environmental Management by April 1.

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     (d) The licensed animal shelters, releasing agencies, pounds or rescue leagues which have

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received these disbursements shall make a report to the board each year by December 31 detailing

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moneys spent solely on spaying and neutering.

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     (e) Moneys deposited may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

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     (f) The provisions of this section shall commence for returns filed for the tax year ending

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December 31, 2005.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02024

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

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     This act would establish a fund for the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs and would

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provide funds from contributions from a check-off on the Rhode Island personal income tax form.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02024

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