[Nfbf-l] SB1382 is up for vote tomorrow, so keep your calls coming

[Judith Hamilton]

Sherrill,

I called my Senator, but I do not know how things will turn out.  I
happened to catch the 3rd reading of the bill on the Senate floor on our
local government access channel shortly before 4:30 pm this afternoon. 
There appeared to be 3 ammendments attached to the bill; none of them
described what you were asking for in your message.  If I interpreted, they
threw one ammendment out which dealt with chickens and bunny rabits sold at
Easter.  There was another ammendment about shelter animals.  I'm not sure
if the 3rd one had to do with grooming and dying the hair of animals. 
After they passed the bill, there was a recess and our channel went on to
the House legislation; since both are meeting jointly as this is the last
day.

Is anyone familiar with the Legislative process able to clarify any of
this?  I believe want daunts everyone with Legislation, locally, state, or
nationally, is the speed at which these entities operate especially when
they get to the end of their respective sessions.  It is challenging for
the lay person to set their time aside and review and digest the
information before these people take a vote.

I just need some help figuring out this stuff.

Thanks,
Judy

> [Original Message]
> From: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
> To: FLAGDU List <flagdu at nfbnet.org>; nfbf leaders
<nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>; NFBFL <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: 3/8/2012 2:37:46 PM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] SB1382 is up for vote tomorrow, so keep your calls
coming
>
> Hello all,
>
> Unfortunately, Senate bill 1382 has been placed on the calendar  for a
> reading on the Senate floor tomorrow, so it's possible it could be voted
> upon and, if passed, sent to the House. It's important that we all call
the
> office of our State senator and tell them we support the bill, but only if
> the definition of a service animal is amended to be in conformance with
the
> DOJ definition. I have once again attached it in case you want to take
> another look at it before calling. This bill would replace Florida statute
> 413.08 with a new statute. Though rights of puppy raisers/trainers are
dealt
> with here, and that's fine, this is truly a civil rights bill for persons
> who choose to use service animals. It should have nothing to do with the
use
> of animals for comfort and emotional support. That's why amending this
bill
> or, if necessary, defeating it, is so important.
>
> Here's that toll free legislative information number again, which will
give
> you your senator's Tallahassee number: 1 (800) 342-1827.
>
> Please burn up those phone lines and educate your senator about this bill.
> Thank you.
>
> Sherrill O'Brien, President
> Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Sherrill O'Brien
> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 6:38 PM
> To: FLAGDU List; nfbf leaders; NFBFL
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] please help with these bills
> Importance: High
>
>
> 	Hello all,
>
> I'm writing to you on behalf of our Florida Association of Guide Dog Users
> division to ask that you help us to make a change in two important bills,
> HB1077 (kriseman) and SB1382 (Bennett). These bills deal with giving puppy
> raisers/trainers rights to housing , and we are in favor of this. But our
> main concern is for those who are the users of service animals.
> These proposed bills would change the definition of a service animal to
the
> following wording: "any domesticated animal". This is the part to which we
> are opposed. This definition would open the door to abuse by those
claiming
> their cat, pig, etc. is a service animal. In the past year, The Department
> of Justice narrowed the definition of a service animal to dogs and
miniature
> horses because of this very problem. We certainly do not want Florida to
> take a step backward. The DOJ's definition of a service animal is
attached.
> The part dealing with miniature horses is under letter i of the document.
Be
> sure to mention the recent DOJ ruling when you make your calls.
>
> Please contact your senators and representatives ASAP and tell them you
are
> opposed to the definition of service animals contained in HB1077 and
SB1382
> because this broader definition would cause much abuse of our access
rights,
> and is in conflict with the Department of Justice's recent ruling.
>
> If you need the contact information for your local representative or
> senator, you can call toll free at 1 (800) 342-1827, and simply give your
> zip code. Make sure you ask for and use their Tallahassee office numbers
> since the Legislature is in session. If there's no answer when you call an
> office, don't hesitate to leave a brief message, telling them the bills
you
> are referencing and the reason you're opposed to them.
>
> Thank you for your help with this important legislation.
>
> Sherrill O'Brien, President
> aFlorida Association of Guide Dog Users
>
>