This legislation allows the county commissioners and/or animal control officer to order euthanization of a dog that has seriously injured a human or presents a danger to humans without going through the superior court if the dog's owner has relinquished custody of the dog. Whether a dog presents a danger to humans is in the discretion of the commissioners or the animal control officer.

This is omnibus gun carry legislation that lifts several current prohibitions on where concealed firearms may be carried.  It authorizes the carrying of weapons, by those with permits, in bars, churches and, importantly, in county government buildings that do not have security guards. ACCG is opposed to this provision in the bill. Please contact your Senators immediately to let them know any concerns you have.  

This legislation requires county emergency management agencies and health departments (once they are notified by the Environmental Proteciton Division) to place a public notice when there is a spill of pollutants that is reasonably expected to be a hazard to the public health and safety, to private and public drinking water supplies, or to animals, birds or aquatic life.

This legislation amends the laws regarding county child fatality review committees including access to records to child abuse and dependency records.

This legislation exempts certain nonprofit organizations from the board of health's food service establishment requirements. The exemption would apply to qualified nonprofit organizations that operate food banks; that provide on-site feeding programs for free distribution of food to combat poverty and hunger; that provide food to houses or residential structures where seriously ill or injured children and their families are provided temporary accommodations near the hospital where the child receives treatment, so long as food is prepared, served, transported or stored by volunteer personnel.

This legislation makes it illegal for a law enforcement officer or employee to release or sell information about people involved in a vehicle collision for personal financial gain. Law enforcement agencies would still be required to release motor vehicle accident reports in accordance with the open records law. This bill also requires news media organizations to wait 60 days to access accident reports. The name, street address, telephone number and driver's license numbers of the drivers must be redacted before turning the accident reports over to the news media.

This legislation makes several changes to the hospital authorities law, including increasing how boards are expanded and appointed. It allows for the creation of joint hospital authorities, as well as authorizing hospital authorities to file for bankruptcy. This legislation also creates a Senior Citizens Services Authority in each county and city. This legislation contains the same language as SB 302.