Legislation

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1. An Idea is Developed	A legislator decides to sponsor a bill, sometimes at the suggestion of a constituent, interest group, public official, or the Governor. The legislator may ask other legislators in the same House to join as co-sponsors.
2. The Bill is Drafted	At the legislator's direction, the Office of Legislative Services, a non-partisan agency of the Legislature, provides research and drafting assistance, and prepares the bill in proper technical form.
3. The Bill is Introduced	During a session, the legislator gives the bill to the Senate Secretary or Assembly Clerk, who reads the bill's title aloud. This is known as the first reading. The bill is printed and released to the public.
4. The Bill is Referred to Committee	The Senate President or Assembly Speaker usually refers the bill to a committee for review, but may send the bill directly to the second reading in order to speed its consideration.
5. Committee Action	When scheduled by the chair, the committee considers the bill at a meeting open to the public. The committee may report the bill to the House as is, with amendments, or by a substitute bill. If not considered or reported, the bill remains in committee.
6. Second Reading	When the bill is reported to the floor (or referred directly without committee review), its title is read aloud for the second reading. The bill is eligible for amendment on the floor. After the bill is given a third reading, the House must vote to return it to the second reading for any further amendments.
7. Third Reading	When scheduled by the President or Speaker, the bill is given a third reading and considered on the floor. The bill may not go through the second and third reading on the same day, except by an emergency vote of 3/4 of the members (30 votes in the Senate, 60 in the Assembly).
8. Vote in First House	The bill passes when approved by a majority of the authorized members (21 votes in the Senate, 41 in the Assembly) and is sent to the other House. If a final vote is not taken, the bill may be considered at another time or may be returned to a committee by a vote of the House.
9. Vote in Second House	The bill is delivered to the second House where it goes through the same process. If the second House amends the bill, it is returned to the first House for a vote on the changes. A bill receives final legislative approval when it passes both Houses in identical form.
10. Governor's Action	After final passage, the bill is sent to the Governor. The Governor may sign it, conditionally veto it (returning it for changes) or veto it absolutely. The Governor may veto single line items of appropriation bills. Bill passed in the last 10 days of a 2-year session may be "pocket vetoed."
11. Law	A bill becomes law upon the Governor's signature or after 45 days if no action is taken. If vetoed, a bill may become law if the Legislature overrides the veto by a 2/3 vote (27 in the Senate, 54 in the Assembly). A law takes effect on the day specified in its text or, if unspecified, the July 4th following its passage.

A2324/S300 (as amended on May 6, 2994) At present, this bill has been withdrawn

This bill requires anyone who owns a premises not licensed as a kennel or pet shop and plans to sell or sells 10 or more animals a year to register with the local municipality. The municipality shall set operating requirements, including square footage requirements and and other provisions to prevent overcrowding.

This bill is opposed by the American Kennel Club, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs and most dog clubs, including the Bulldog Club of New Jersey.

In addition to any other license fee, this permits municipalities to establish a breeding license fee for any unsterilized dog of breeding age. The fee may be set by the municipality at between $1 per dog up to $20 per dog annually. Funds from the program shall be dedicated for use by the municipality only for administering and enforcing the breeding dog license ordinance, funding animal control and welfare services and programs, and administering and enforcing animal control and welfare laws and ordinances in the municipality. Penalties for each violation shall not exceed 10 times the fee for the license.

A1135/A2373 Prohibits basing homeowner insurability or rates on breed of dog on premises.

Except for dogs declared potentially dangerous by a court, insurers cannot use underwriting guidelines which result in the declination or termination of insurance, apply particular rate plans or impose an increased premium under homeowner policies based on the type or breed of dog harbored on the insured property.

Changes the current law to permit recovery for loss of companionship and emotional distress caused by animal cruelty to your companion animal. The owner of a domestic companion animal may sue for damages if the animal has been subject to abuse and the person sued has been convicted of the act. Damages may include, but need not be limited to, the monetary value of the animal, veterinary expenses incurred by the owner in treating the animal, reasonable burial expenses, reimbursement of animal training expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress suffered by the owner. Damages awarded for loss of companionship shall not exceed $20,000.

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