CA AB 1634 - Update

Position - May 4, 2007

"Success isn't the result of who has the most brilliant ideas - it's the result of who executes a few brilliant ideas best. – Bob Lewis"

The Appropriations Committee is now set to meet on Wednesday, May 16 to review some 200 Bills including AB 1634. The deadline to "register" opposition to the Bill is apparently Friday, May 11th.

Given the volume of Bills under consideration; only one person from each side ( for and against) will be given the opportunity to make a presentation. The author of the bill will be the proponent presenting. The entire opposition camp need select ONE person to represent our interest in this. Given the clout and resources of the AKC, we will have no objections to their selection ( we have always maintained that we are not leaders in this effort but just trying to guide the membership). After this, the only time folks from either camp will get will be to give their names, and whom they represent and their position on the Bill. Just as it happened for the BNP hearing.

The impact of the Bill is currently being analyzed and the end result will be a fiscal impact statement. This will not be public record until the day before the hearing viz May 15, 2007.

Our next steps -

1. Clubs are strongly encouraged to send a "protest" letter to the Committee Chair copying the consultants and if necessary their local Assembly person. Drafts of these letters are given in the post below. Letters should be sent well before the deadline of May 11 so that it can get into the "Oppose List". In addition, consider the practicalities. Their fax machines will get overloaded towards the end and your letters may not go through for a variety of reasons. Just sent your protest now.


2. Members should likewise send their letters to their local Assembly person. We are drafting a suggested format and this will be given below shortly. In the interim, the format recommended by the AKC has been reproduced in the post below.

3. We have made an "official" request for one of our senior representatives in the Executive Board to make a formal presentation to the Chair of the Appropriations Committee. He/She will have "talking" points available to clearly articulate the USA position on the Bill - which in one word is "OPPOSE".

4. If it is logistically possible your physical presence during the Bill hearing on May 16, 2007 will be of enormous value. If nothing else you can indicate your opposition to the Bill in no uncertain terms. The AKC has planned a Lobby Day for May 15. See post below.

5. We are also writing a strong worded protest to be sent by the President to the Committee Chair. This will be posted here when available.