FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Below are questions with answers about the MN OAP bill.
S.F. 1163 (author: Sen. John Marty / H.F. 1816 (author: Rep. Matt Norris) |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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1. What is the Office of Animal Protection (OAP) bill?
See MN OAP Bill. 2. Why is an Office of Animal Protection needed? See Statement of Need. |
3. What are the bill numbers and bill language?
In the MN Senate, the bill number is S.F. 1163. (SF stands for Senate File.) In the MN House of Representatives, the bill number is H.F. 1816 (HF stands for House File). For bill language and status, go to Bill Status. Note: Minnesota operates on a biennial session. That means next year, 2027, will start a new two-year session. The bills will be introduced in January 2027 and, at that time, assigned new bill numbers.
4. Will the Office of Animal Protection apply to all animals?
Yes. The primary animal anti-cruelty law in Minnesota is chapter 343 which defines an animal as "every living creature, except members of the human race." As the purpose of the Minnesota Office of Animal Protection is to assist local, state, and tribal authorities in the enforcement of Minnesota animal cruelty statutes, the MN OAP will work to protect all animals.
5. Where will this Office be housed — under whose oversight?
As animal cruelty is a crime and an issue of public safety, this Office will be placed under the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS Commissioner and BCA Superintendent will provide oversight, as will the OAP Director.
6. Is this just more government?
Creation of an Office of Animal Protection is effective government. Currently, there is no state agency that assists local, state, and tribal authorities or other criminal partners in the enforcement of animal cruelty statutes. There is no statewide training, resources, or oversight for these laws and enforcement efforts, resulting in no review or accountability. The current system is highly inefficient. The MN Legislature intended animal cruelty statutes to protect animals (which can also, in some cases, protect human victims). Until a state system is established to support authorities and communities in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of these crimes, animals will not be fully protected, communities will not be safe, and justice will not prevail.
7. How does the OAP bill differ from the Companion Animal Board bill?
The Office of Animal Protection (OAP) bill and the Companion Animal Board (CAB) bill are separate bills with distinct purposes and expertise for the benefit of animals. The primary differences:
In the MN Senate, the bill number is S.F. 1163. (SF stands for Senate File.) In the MN House of Representatives, the bill number is H.F. 1816 (HF stands for House File). For bill language and status, go to Bill Status. Note: Minnesota operates on a biennial session. That means next year, 2027, will start a new two-year session. The bills will be introduced in January 2027 and, at that time, assigned new bill numbers.
4. Will the Office of Animal Protection apply to all animals?
Yes. The primary animal anti-cruelty law in Minnesota is chapter 343 which defines an animal as "every living creature, except members of the human race." As the purpose of the Minnesota Office of Animal Protection is to assist local, state, and tribal authorities in the enforcement of Minnesota animal cruelty statutes, the MN OAP will work to protect all animals.
5. Where will this Office be housed — under whose oversight?
As animal cruelty is a crime and an issue of public safety, this Office will be placed under the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS Commissioner and BCA Superintendent will provide oversight, as will the OAP Director.
6. Is this just more government?
Creation of an Office of Animal Protection is effective government. Currently, there is no state agency that assists local, state, and tribal authorities or other criminal partners in the enforcement of animal cruelty statutes. There is no statewide training, resources, or oversight for these laws and enforcement efforts, resulting in no review or accountability. The current system is highly inefficient. The MN Legislature intended animal cruelty statutes to protect animals (which can also, in some cases, protect human victims). Until a state system is established to support authorities and communities in the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of these crimes, animals will not be fully protected, communities will not be safe, and justice will not prevail.
7. How does the OAP bill differ from the Companion Animal Board bill?
The Office of Animal Protection (OAP) bill and the Companion Animal Board (CAB) bill are separate bills with distinct purposes and expertise for the benefit of animals. The primary differences:
- Mission: The focus of the OAP is criminal law and animal cruelty. The focus of the CAB is civil law and pet welfare issues.
- Animal: As the OAP deals with criminal law, its focus is with all animals. As the focus of the CAB is pet issues, it will deal with companion animals (pets) only and those who care for these animals.
- Structure: The OAP will be a state office housed under the Department of Public Safety. The CAB is a state board with expertise in pet welfare and will be governed by multiple board members, appointed by the Governor.