SJ0053eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 53

(As Amended by Senate Amendment No. 1)

WHEREAS, The unintended or uncontrolled breeding of cats leads to the births of thousands of kittens annually, many of whom become feral cats, often referred to as "community cats"; and

WHEREAS, There is a need to preserve wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health by humanely managing and limiting the growth of the number of feral cats in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Feral cats are often impounded and killed, at great expense to the community; and

WHEREAS, Trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return programs manage and limit the growth of the number of feral or community cats; and

WHEREAS, Management of feral cats is also affected by local government ordinances; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that a Feral Cat Task Force be appointed to examine the Animal Control Act, the Humane Care for Animals Act, and the Animal Welfare Act and any other relevant statutory provisions, other trap, neuter, and return programs in other states and trap and adopt programs and make comprehensive written recommendations for change that would result in the effective management of feral and community cats, preserve wildlife, improve cat welfare, maintain property rights, and enhance public health; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(1) the President of the Senate, or his designee;

(2) the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or his designee;

(3) the Minority Leader of the Senate, or her designee;

(4) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, or his designee;

(5) a representative appointed by the Department of Agriculture;

(6) a representative appointed by the Department of Natural Resources;

(7) a representative appointed by the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association;

(8) a representative appointed by the Illinois Environmental Council;

(9) a representative who is a county animal control administrator from a county of over 4 million residents;

(10) a representative who is on the Board of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACCD) appointed by the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine;

(11) a representative appointed by Best Friends Animal Society;

(12) a representative appointed by the Illinois Farm Bureau;

(13) a representative appointed by the Illinois Humane Society;

(14) a representative appointed by the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club;

(15) a representative appointed by the Illinois Audubon Society;

(16) a representative appointed by the Illinois Wildlife Society who is a certified wildlife biologist;

(17) a representative appointed by the County Animal Controls of Illinois who is currently employed as an Animal Control Administrator or an Animal Control Warden in a county with a population of less than 2 million; and

(18) a representative from Tree House Humane Society; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall select a Chairperson from among themselves; and be it further

RESOLVED, That appointments to the Task Force must be made by July 1, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall hold at least 3 hearings, which shall be held in geographically separate regions of the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall receive no compensation, and shall conclude all business by January 1, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.