Bill

A 664

Prohibits a person convicted of violating "Buster's Law" from owning or possessing a companion animal

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits anyone convicted of Buster's Law from owning or possessing a companion animal, affecting current and future pet ownership and shelter placements.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 664

Summary of Bill A 664

Overview

Bill A 664 would prohibit a person who has been convicted of violating “Buster’s Law” from owning or possessing a companion animal. The bill is currently in the legislative referral stage and has not yet advanced to a substantive vote or enactment.

Purpose and Intent

The bill’s stated aim is to prevent individuals who have been convicted of violating Buster’s Law from retaining or obtaining ownership of a companion animal.
By tying animal ownership to a prior conviction under Buster’s Law, the measure seeks to reduce potential risks to animals and reinforce consequences for violations of that law.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the summary)

A primary provision would bar any person convicted of violating Buster’s Law from owning or possessing a companion animal.
The specific text, scope, exceptions, duration of the prohibition, and enforcement mechanisms are not detailed in the available information. No penalties or timelines are listed in the provided summary.

Who Is Affected

Individuals convicted of violating Buster’s Law.
Companion animals previously owned or to be owned by such individuals (potentially affecting current owners and those seeking ownership).
Animal control authorities, shelters, and other entities involved in housing or placing companion animals may be impacted by the enforcement and transfer requirements, though exact mechanisms are not specified in the provided materials.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 8, 2025.
Status: Referred to the Agriculture committee. The legislative actions listed show two identical entries for “2025-01-08: REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE,” indicating the bill’s assignment to that committee but no recorded advancement beyond referral.
No further actions (e.g., committee vote, passage, or enactment) are shown in the provided information.

Related Legislation

Prior-session and companion bills listed, including A 1600, A 4514, A 1580, A 10283, A 4828, A 6938, A 987, A 524, A 433.
Companion bill: S 1044 (noted as a companion with two listings).

Potential Impact and Considerations

If enacted, the bill would create a post-conviction restriction on pet ownership for individuals convicted under Buster’s Law.
Other practical effects could include changes to adoption processes, animal shelter intake, and enforcement procedures, depending on how the prohibition is worded and administered.
Details on penalties for violations of the ownership prohibition, definitions (e.g., what constitutes “companion animal”), and grace periods or exemptions are not provided in the available summary.

Next Steps for Stakeholders

Monitor Agricultural Committee actions for movement, amendments, or passage.
Review the full text to assess definitions, exceptions, enforcement, penalties, and effective dates once available.
Consider how related bills and companion measures (including S 1044) may influence or mirror the approach of A 664.

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