Bill Text: VA HB221 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Free-Roaming Cat Management Plan; regulations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-13 - Left in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources [HB221 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB221-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6545.1 as follows:
§3.2-6545.1. Free-Roaming Cat Management Plan; regulations.
The Board shall promulgate regulations that establish minimum requirements for a Free-Roaming Cat Management Plan and establish a model plan for localities to reduce and control the population of free-roaming cats and the abandonment of cats for the purpose of reducing the negative impacts of free-roaming cats on public health, wildlife, and the cat population. A locality may by ordinance adopt such plan created by the Board, and the locality may include any ordinances related to cats that currently in effect in such adopted plan.
2. That the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services (the Board), in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including localities, public and private animal shelters, animal control officers, wildlife conservation rehabilitation experts, and public health officials, shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act no later than July 31, 2025. The Board's initial adoption of regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act shall be exempt from the Administrative Process Act (§2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia), except that the Board shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the regulations prior to adoption.
