|  The 2021/2022 Wisconsin State
Legislative Session is now closed. There were a number of humane bills we were
watching during this session, but only one victory for animals,and that was in
the form of a veto. Most of the bills we were hoping to have introduced never
even got to the drawing board, let alone off it.
You might keep these
disappointments in mind in preparing for Election Day 2022 -- ASK your
candidates AND the incumbents where they stand on specific humane issues, and
let them know that their replies will influence your vote.
Below
are a list of the bills, with links to more information (including sponsors,
bill summaries, talking points, action taken, etc.):
-
SB 347/AB 341, to remove state oversight for captive wildlife exhibitors who
are licensed by the USDA, Passed both houses
but VETOED by Gov. Tony Evers. This was our only victory in the 2021 - 2022
session. In his veto memo, Gov. Evers wrote: "I am vetoing this
bill in its entirety because I object to reducing the standards to which
wildlife exhibition facilities are held in Wisconsin. . . . Eliminating the
state licensing requirements from these facilities would prevent the [WI DNR]
from applying state standards that are designed to ensure humane handling,
care, treatment, and transportation of captive animals."
 More about SB 347/AB
341
SB 580/AB 1162, Relating to eliminating
the mandatory wolf hunt. "Failed to pass
pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1" (end of session). This bill
proposed a simple word change to close the loophole in the law mandating that a
wolf hunt SHALL be held. By changing the SHALL to MAY, proponants hoped to
leave it up to the discretion of the WI DNR whether an annual hunt will/should
be held, instead of putting WI wildlife at the mercy of lawsuits by
out-of-state hunting groups.
More about SB 580/AB
1162
AB 368/ SB 366, regarding felony provisions for the mistreatment of
animals. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate
Joint Resolution 1 (End of Session). Our third try for a felony charge
for someone who commits an act of animal abuse that they should reasonably know
may result in grievous bodily harm or death of an animal, regardless of whether
that harm or death actually occurs. We were very disappointed that the bill was
amended to appease the hounders, and failed anyway. We will keep trying.
More about AB 368/ SB
366
We are already working on a
strategy for the 2023/2024 legislative session, including drafts for
reintroduction. We will never give up!
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