S761

The Senate passed legislation amending the Agriculture and Markets Law to strengthen animal cruelty protections, but rejected a proposed amendment that would have modified bail laws for animal abuse offenses. Calendar Number 745, Senate Print 761, sponsored by Sen. Krueger, passed 60-1 on a roll call vote, with only Sen. Brisport voting in opposition. The bill's passage came after Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed the presiding officer's ruling that her amendment was nongermane. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick argued the amendment was directly related to the bill because both addressed the animal cruelty statute. She contended that current bail reform laws allow those charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty to be released without bail, undermining the bill's protections. She also cited studies showing that animal abuse is linked to domestic violence, with 75 percent of abused women reporting their companion animals were threatened or harmed by their partners. The procedural appeal to overturn the chair's ruling received 20 votes in favor but was insufficient to reverse the ruling. The bill was subsequently restored to the noncontroversial calendar and passed with overwhelming support.

The Senate passed legislation to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law on a 57-1 vote, with only Sen. Brisport voting in opposition. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Krueger and designated as Calendar Number 674, Senate Print 761, takes effect immediately upon enactment. No floor debate preceded the vote.