Modifies the offense of animal neglect
HB 1714 modifies animal neglect laws by defining neglect as failing to provide adequate care or control for owned animals (excluding livestock like cattle or sheep). It classifies violations as misdemeanors or felonies based on harm: property damage over $750 or injury to people escalates penalties to higher offenses, with death resulting in a felony. The bill requires courts to order offenders to pay for animal care, disposal, clean-up, and public health costs related to the neglect. This directly affects pet owners and animal custodians who fail to meet basic care standards, with stricter penalties for severe consequences.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
House Committee Substitute
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended from an introduced version to a House Committee Substitute version, primarily adding a new subsection regarding exemptions for certain acts or facilities. This change clarifies that the bill's requirements do not apply to entities already exempted under existing law, ensuring consistency with current regulations.
Scope change
The bill's scope was modified to explicitly exclude certain acts or facilities that are already exempt under section 578.007, preventing potential overlap or conflict with existing exemptions.
SCOPE
Added a new provision stating that the bill does not apply to acts or facilities exempted under section 578.007, clarifying the bill's applicability boundaries.
TECHNICAL
Removed introductory text identifying the bill as introduced by Representative Sharpe and updated the bill number designation from 5048H.01I to 5048H.02C.
Reordered and renumbered penalty subsections, splitting what was previously a single serious injury provision into separate categories for serious physical injury and death.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 1 PRESENT: 0
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
Referred: Rules - Administrative(H)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 11 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Referred: Special Committee on Rural Issues(H)
lower
Dec 1, 2025
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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