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Bill

A 8038

Imposes a fee for certain convictions to benefit animal shelters and establishes the animal offenses assistance fund

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ed Ra

Imposes a fee on certain offenders to fund the Animal Offenses Assistance Fund for animal shelters.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · A 8038

Summary of New York Assembly Bill A 8038

Overview

Bill A 8038, introduced April 22, 2025 by Assembly member Edward Ra, would impose a fee on individuals convicted of certain offenses to benefit animal shelters and would establish the Animal Offenses Assistance Fund to receive and disburse the revenues. The measure is currently REFERRED TO CODES.

  • Primary sponsor: Edward Ra
  • Companions: Senate companion S 6733 (listed as companion)
  • Status: Referred to Codes (as of the introductory date)
  • Related actions: The same date shows the bill being referred to the Codes committee more than once, per the legislative actions listed

What the Bill Would Do (as indicated by the title)

  • Create a new financial obligation: Impose a fee on individuals convicted of certain offenses.
  • Direct the funds: Designate the revenue generated from the fee to benefit animal shelters.
  • Establish a dedicated fund: Create the Animal Offenses Assistance Fund to hold and administer the revenues collected from the new fee.

Note: The specific offenses subject to the fee, the amount of the fee, any exemptions or waivers, and the details of how the fund would be administered are not provided in the information available here. Those details would appear in the bill’s full text and any committee amendments.

Key Provisions (expected areas to be specified in the bill)

  • Definition of “certain convictions”: Which offenses trigger the fee (e.g., animal-related offenses or broader offenses with animal considerations).
  • Fee amount and collection mechanism: How much the fee would be, who collects it (e.g., court, DMV, or another agency), and expected timelines for payment.
  • Use and administration of the Animal Offenses Assistance Fund: How funds are allocated to animal shelters, oversight and reporting requirements, and any sunset or renewal provisions.
  • Exemptions or waivers: Potential cases where the fee might not apply (e.g., indigent defendants, juvenile offenders, or specific types of convictions).
  • Compliance and enforcement: Penalties for nonpayment or misreporting, if any.

Potential Impact

  • On defendants: Introduction of an additional financial obligation for certain convictions; possible impacts on defendants’ financial situations, depending on the fee amount and any exemptions.
  • On animal shelters: A new, dedicated revenue stream to support operations or programs for animal shelters, potentially increasing resources for animal welfare activities.
  • On state revenue and budgeting: Creation of the Animal Offenses Assistance Fund as a new program and funding source, subject to annual appropriations and reporting.
  • On courts and administrative agencies: New collection, accounting, and reporting requirements associated with the fee and fund.

Affected Parties

  • Individuals convicted of the specified offenses
  • Animal shelters and related animal welfare organizations
  • State and local budgets (via the new fund)
  • Courts and agencies responsible for collecting the fee and administering the fund

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction date: April 22, 2025
  • Current status: Referred to Codes committee (as of the introduced date)
  • Legislative path: Likely continuation through Codes, potential consideration by other committees, and floor votes in the Assembly; companion bill S 6733 in the Senate indicates cross-chamber consideration if advanced

Related Information

  • Companion bill: S 6733 (listed as companion in Senate)
  • No text provided here detailing exact definitions, amounts, or administration; the full bill text would clarify these specifics

If you’d like, I can incorporate the full bill text (once available) to refine the provisions, fiscal implications, and timelines into a more detailed, point-by-point summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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