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-- Edith Wharton
Program Details | Bill Text | Legislative History
Sales Data | Comments
STATUS: AVAILABLE JANUARY 2003
STATUS: Amendment 6 in the November general election passed and the Dog and Cat License Plate was available for voluntary purchase on January 2, 2003.
Please send us up-to-date information if you are working on, or have additional information about this program.
GET THE PLATES
What better way to promote and support the program than to get the plates and advertise them on your own car(s)!
Order them from the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Collaborate and communicate with others working on AFLP around the nation and in Georgia
Donate to the Georgia Dog and Cat Sterilization Fund
DCSF
POB 347043
Atlanta GA 30334-7043
PROGRAM DETAILS
Money generated from the voluntary purchase of the Cat & Dog license plate will be used strictly for statewide sterilization programs. Licensed, accredited veterinarians would perform sterilization procedures and receive reimbursement through a contractual agreement with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
As with other specialty license plates, the county tag office will collect funds in addition to the usual tag fee for each license plate purchased. The money generated by sales of the plate will:
- Help pay for sterilization procedures.
- Provide educational materials about the importance of sterilization.
- Promote sales of the plate.
Dept. of Agriculture
Slogan: "Animal Friend"
Artist: Mark Ballard, Macon, GA
Fee: $25 in addition to registration fee
Amount to Spay-Neuter: $25 less a $1.00 processing fee which shall be granted to county tag offices per plate sold and less the actual manufacturing cost of the plates
Fund: A special fund for support of the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program created by Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(m) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia
Fund Administrator: The Georgia Department of Agriculture
Fund Disbursement: Licensed veterinarians in Georgia who perform spay or neuter procedures will receive the funds
MORE DETAILS
Vet Application for Assistance and Payment
Humane Association of Georgia, Inc.
HR 264: "Dog and Cat Sterilization: special license plate funding"
See the Bill
This resolution is for the referendum-this places the plate on the ballot for voters to decide if voluntary funds raised from the sale of the plate can be designated to fund sterilization programs.
HB 945: "Dog and cat sterilization program; license plates promoting"
See the Bill
This "trailer" bill adds language to the Georgia code for selling the plate and administering the spay/neuter program.
HR264 : Dog and cat sterilization; special license plate funding
A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for a dog and cat sterilization support program and provide funds for the program from the sale of special license plates; and for other purposes.
Sponsors
James,Lynmore 140th
Tillman,E 173rd
Houston,Penny 166th
House Resolution 264 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives James of the 140th, Tillman of the 173rd and Houston of the 166th
A RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program and provide funds for the program from the voluntary purchase of special license plates and other sources; to provide for related matters; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Constitution is amended by redesignating the second subparagraph (k) as subparagraph (l) and by adding at the end thereof a new subparagraph (m) to read as follows:
"(m) There shall be within the Department of Agriculture a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program to control dog and cat overpopulation and thereby reduce the number of animals housed and killed in animal shelters, which program shall be administered by the Commissioner of Agriculture. In order to fund the program, there shall be issued beginning in 2003 specially designed license plates promoting the program. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the issuance of such license plates and for dedication of certain revenue derived from fees for such plates to the support of the program. All such dedicated revenue derived from special license plate fees, any funds appropriated to the department for such purposes, and any voluntary contributions or other funds made available to the department for such purposes and all interest thereon shall be deposited in a special fund for support of the program, shall not be used for any purpose other than support of the program, and shall not lapse. The General Assembly may provide by law for all matters necessary or appropriate to the implementation of this paragraph."
SECTION 2.
The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:
"( ) YES
( ) NO
Shall the Constitution be amended so as to provide for a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program to control dog and cat overpopulation and thereby reduce the number of animals housed and killed in animal shelters and provide funds for the program from the voluntary purchase of special license plates and other sources?"
All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.
HB945 : Dog and cat sterilization program; license plates promoting
A BILL to amend Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animals, so as to provide for the the establishment of a dog and cat sterilization support program and educational activities; to provide for funds; to provide for rules; to pr
House Committee: AG
Senate Committee: F&PU
Full Text
01 HB 945/AP
House Bill 945 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representative James of the 140th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animals, so as to provide for a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program and related educational activities; to provide for funds, rules, and reports related thereto; to amend Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles generally, so as to provide for special license plates promoting such program and related activities; to provide for issuance, renewal, fees, licensing agreements, applications, transfers, and disposition of funds relative to such license plates; to amend Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prestige license plates and special plates for certain persons and vehicles, so as to change the minimum number of applications which are necessary for the issuance of special license plates; to provide an effective date; to provide for contingent repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animals, is amended by adding at the end thereof a new Chapter 15 to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 15
4-15-1.
(a) The Commissioner shall establish a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program and educational activities in support thereof. The department shall utilize moneys placed in a special fund for such program as derived from special license plate sales, any funds appropriated to the department for such purposes, and any voluntary contributions or other funds made available to the department for such purposes for the implementation, operation, and support of such reproductive sterilization program. The Commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules to direct and administer the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program and to carry out this Code section.
(b) The Commissioner shall submit a report to the Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs detailing the receipts of and expenditures from the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program fund. Such report shall be made not later than the last day of August each year."
SECTION 2.
Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles generally, is amended by adding, following Code Section 40-2-49.2, a new Code Section 40-2-49.3 to read as follows:
"40-2-49.3.
(a) In order to promote and financially provide for dog and cat reproductive sterilization support programs and educational activities directly in support thereof, there shall be issued beginning January 1, 2003, special license plates promoting the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program provided for in Code Section 4-15-1.
(b) The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the commissioner, shall design special distinctive license plates appropriate to promote dog and cat reproductive sterilization support programs. The dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates must be of the same size as general issue motor vehicle license plates and shall include a unique design and identifying number, whereby the total number of characters does not exceed six. No two recipients shall receive identically numbered plates. Such design shall provide space in which to indicate the name of the county of issuance.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, this Code section shall not be implemented until such time as the State of Georgia has, through a licensing agreement or otherwise, received such licenses or other permissions as may be required to implement this Code section. The design of the initial edition of the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates, as well as the design of subsequent editions and excepting only any part or parts of the designs owned by others and licensed to the state, shall be owned solely by the State of Georgia for its exclusive use and control, except as authorized by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The Commissioner of Agriculture may take such steps as may be necessary to give notice of and protect such right, including the copyright or copyrights. However, such steps shall be cumulative of the ownership and exclusive use and control established by this subsection as a matter of law, and no person shall reproduce or otherwise use such design or designs, except as authorized by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
(d) Beginning in calendar year 2003, any Georgia resident who is the owner of a motor vehicle, except a vehicle registered under the International Registration Plan, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon the payment of a fee of $25.00 in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, shall be issued a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plate. Revalidation decals shall be issued for dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates in the same manner as provided for general issue license plates.
(e) The funds derived from the sale of dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates, less a $1.00 processing fee which shall be granted to county tag offices per plate sold and less the actual manufacturing cost of the plates shall be deposited in the special fund for support of the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program created by Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI(m) of the Constitution of the State of Georgia. As soon as practicable after December 31 of each year, the commissioner shall report the net amount derived from the sale of dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates to the Department of Agriculture.
(f) An applicant may request a dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plate any time during the applicantīs registration period. If such a license plate is to replace a current valid license plate, the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plate shall be issued with appropriate decals attached.
(g) Dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates shall be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 40-2-42.
(h) Dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program license plates shall be issued within 30 days of application."
SECTION 3.
Article 3 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to prestige license plates and special plates for certain persons and vehicles, is amended by striking subsection (b) of Code Section 40-2-60.1, relating to the administrative process for issuance of additional special license plates, and inserting in its place the following:
"(b) The commissioner is authorized to adopt rules and regulations for the issuance of special license plates for groups of individuals and vehicles. Such rules and regulations shall provide that no such special license plate shall be issued except upon the application of at least 500 1,000 persons. The rules and regulations shall provide for the manner of such applications. The rules and regulations shall provide that upon receipt of the requisite number of applications, a special license plate may be issued as provided in this Code section. The rules and regulations may provide for exceptions whereby a special plate will not be issued if the issuance of the plate would adversely affect public safety. The rules and regulations shall provide for the design and manufacture of such special license plates and shall provide that such plates shall be readily recognizable as Georgia license plates through the adoption of a standard design containing a smaller space for the insertion of an appropriate logo or graphic identifying the special nature of the license plate. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this subsection, the design of each special license plate shall be in the discretion of the commissioner."
SECTION 4.
(a) This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2003, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of this section.
(b) If an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia authorizing the creation of a special fund for support of the dog and cat reproductive sterilization support program is not ratified at the general election in 2002, Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall be repealed in their entirety on January 1, 2003, and no such motor vehicle license plates as contemplated in Sections 1 and 2 of this Act shall be issued pursuant to this Act.
SECTION 5.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Bill Sponsor(s):
James, Lynmore, Tillman, Eugene, Houston, Penny
Supporting Organization(s):
- Humane Association of Georgia, Inc.,
- Georgia Association of County Commissioners
- Georgia Animal Control Association
- Georgia Coalition of Dog Clubs
- Georgia Department of Agriculture
- Georgia Emergency Management Agency
- Georgia Municipal Association
- Georgia Pet Industry Association
- Georgia Sheriff's Association
- Georgia Veterinary Medical Association
- Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia
- Over 70% of Georgia voters in the November 5, 2002 election!!
1999: H.B. 130 died in Committee, March 24, 1999.
From the HAGA website:
"On April 12, 2002, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation which paved the way for a voter referendum on the Cat & Dog License Plate to be placed on the ballot for the November 2, 2002 general election. The passage of this legislation, sponsored and guided by Representative Lynmore James (D-104th) of Montezuma and Senator Robert Brown (D-26th) of Macon, was the culmination of a six-year effort by HAGA and other organizations. The legislation had two parts:House Resolution 264 provided for the issue regarding an amendment to Georgia's constitution allowing for the license plate to be placed on the November 2, 2002 general election ballot. Read the full text of HR 264 here.
House Bill 945 allows the plate to be sold, and for the spay/neuter program to be administered by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Read the full text of HB 945 here.
Governor Roy Barnes signed both pieces of legislation during a ceremony held in Macon on June 6, 2002. Read more about the ceremony and see pictures in the "HAGA News" section of the HAGA website.
On November 5, 2002, an overwhelming majority of Georgia citizens voted "Yes" to the constitutional amendment which appeared on the general election ballot. This vote cleared the way for production of the license plate to begin. The plates then became available for sale at local county tag offices on January 2, 2003.
During 2003, the Georgia Department of Agriculture promulgated regulations and procedures for the administration of the Cat and Dog Sterilization Fund, and funds collected from the sales of plates during 2003 became available for payment to veterinarians who wish to participate in the program. The first spay/neuter procedure under the auspices of the program was performed by Dr. Wes Hamryka of Sugar Hill Animal Hospital, on "Jackson", a mixed-breed puppy in November 2003.
The Dog and Cat Sterilization Fund was also set up to receive funds from individuals or groups wishing to make a tax-deductible donation"
SALES DATA
For the two-month period ending January 31st 2004, 3,511 Dog and Cat License Plates were sold, netting $78,611 for the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program (DCSP), managed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
More than 900
spay/neuter procedures have been performed through this critical program, representing 100 counties and 200 veterinarians throughout Georgia.
COMMENTS
Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc.
Post Office Box 9294, Reston, VA 20195