Capitol Report
by Thomas Hagerty, DVM

As the 2010 legislative session nears the end on May 17 the proposals involving the MVMA have been somewhat limited in activity. The dog and cat breeding facilities legislation (SF7 and HF253) have stalled in both the Senate and House agriculture committees. As this is being written there is a proposal by one of the organizations seeking to get this legislation passed to make the Board of Veterinary Medicine rather than the Board of Animal Health the state entity responsible for program administration, inspections and enforcement. The Board of Veterinary Medicine currently has the responsibility of licensing and regulating veterinarians through the MN Veterinary Practice Act. This board has had no authority or responsibility to regulate others nor any experience in doing so. The supporters of this proposal suggest there is a public health issue in the sale of dogs and cats and that this makes it the responsibility of the Board of Veterinary Medicine. They are suggesting that this would also move these bills out of the House and Senate agriculture committees and into the health committees of the legislature. MVMA will not know how this will play out until late in this session.

State Senator Berglin (DFL- Mpls.) introduced SF3201 midway in the session that creates a registration program for prescribers of certain controlled substances which would include veterinarians along with other health professionals. Veterinarians have been excluded from registration in the past but were included in this proposal and would be required to pay a registration fee. Discussions between the Board of Pharmacy, the Board of Veterinary Medicine and the MVMA resulted in an agreement to exclude veterinarians. This requires an amendment to the bill when it is brought up in committee. There is no companion bill in the House.

SF838 regarding pet protection orders, was introduced in the 2009 session and would authorize the courts to direct the care, possession, or control of a pet when drafting orders for protection of persons. This bill passed in the Senate but awaits action in the House where it is included in the House Public Safety Finance Omnibus bill (Hf2608).

Senator John Marty (DFL, Roseville) introduced SF3212 which, if passed, would require that after January 1, 2011, a person may not sell, buy or use animal feed for a nontherapeutic use that contains "medically important" antibiotics used in human medicine. There has been no progress on this bill in the senate and there is no companion bill in the house. The MVMA has aligned itself with the AVMA's "prudent use" position recognizing the important ongoing role of veterinarians in proper antimicrobial use.

The MVMA had a very successful "Day at the Capitol" on Wednesday, April 7. Following lunch and remarks by Senator Steve Dille, several MVMA members met with one or both of their legislators. This was an excellent opportunity to discuss the proposed bills and any other issues members wished to pursue. We want to expand this event next year to include more members and to involve more legislators.

This year, 2010 is an "election year" with all 201 legislative seats up for election. There are 67 senators and 134 representatives. VET-PAC will contribute to selected legislators and candidates who we believe are or will be supportive of the MVMA's positions. As we approach the campaign season we need to increase the PAC funds. Your contribution to VET-PAC for 2010 is needed before the campaigns get into full swing. Make your contribution to VET-PAC, 101 Bridgepoint Way, suite 100, So. St. Paul, MN 55075.