New Jersey Legislature Pending Legislation S2335 Authorizes Seven Day a Week Hunting November 5, 2008 S2335: This bill would authorize the hunting of any game animal every day of the week with bow and arrow or firearms, including Sundays, during any season prescribed pursuant to the State Fish and Game Code for the hunting of that animal.       S802/A1669 Authorizes Bow & Arrow Hunting on Sundays November 5, 2008 Senate Bill No. 802 (and Assembly bill A1669) would authorize deer hunting with bow and arrow on Sundays during any bow and arrow hunting season for deer prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code, provided the hunting is on a State wildlife management area or on private property.  This bill also raises from $20 to $50 the penalty for a violation of the no-Sunday hunting prohibition. Current law provides that there is a statutory prohibition against hunting on Sundays.  This bill would amend current law to authorize the hunting of deer with bow and arrow on Sundays on State wildlife management areas or on private property during any bow and arrow hunting season for deer prescribed by the State Fish and Game Code, provided the person hunting possesses a valid bow and arrow license, or a valid “All Around Sportsman License” if applicable, issued by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, and abides by all applicable provisions of the State Fish and Game Code.   S3298 Establish the Office of Animal Welfare as an Independent Department November 5, 2008 The New Jersey Legislature has the opportunity to take action for companion animals with the introduction of A3298, a bill that would establish the Office of Animal Welfare as an independent department within the Department of Health and Senior Services. Currently the department is located within the Division of Disease Control, a department that is important in managing health issues such as rabies but is less prepared to take enforcement actions on issues that affect the well-being of animals. Critically, this bill will not require any additional funding to accomplish its goal of providing autonomy for this department. On October 16th the bill was introduced and has been referred to the Assembly Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.     A2668 Cross Reporting of Child and Animal Abuse October 9, 2008 Requires veterinarians report animal cruelty and police investigate possible associated domestic violence and child abuse.  5/12/2008 A2668 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee   A2536/S1396 Clarifies Minimum Care July 25, 2008 A2536/S1396 Clarifies failure to provide minimum care to an animal constitutes animal cruelty. 3/3/2008 S1396 Introduced in the Senate, referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee   A2981/S1989 Animal Hoarding July 25, 2008 S1989/A2981 Establishes hoarding as a criminal and civil animal cruelty offense 6/16/2008 S1989 Introduced in the Senate, referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee 6/16/2008 A2981 Introduced and referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee   A2979/S1990 Animal Cruelty in Presence of a Child July 25, 2008 A2979/S1990 Establishes criminal offense of animal cruelty in presence of a child 6/16/2008 A2979 Introduced and referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee 6/16/2008 S1990 introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee © 2002-2008 NJCACOA. All Rights Reserved.