SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 455

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 14, 2018

The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 455.

      As reported, this bill requires that, before any horse may be sold at an auction, the auction organizer is to determine whether the horse has an implanted microchip, or has been tattooed or branded with any identifying mark.  If the horse has an implanted microchip, tattoo, or brand, the auction organizer is required to post, on its Internet website, all identifying information, including any identification number contained in the microchip, and a detailed description or picture of any tattoo or brand found on the horse.  This information is required to be posted no later than 72 hours before the horse is sold at an auction.

      To document compliance with the provisions of the bill, auction organizers are required to maintain records for each horse sold at auction, including:  the presence or absence of a microchip, tattoo, or brand; the date and time of the posting of the information required by the bill; and the date and time each horse is sold at auction.  An auction organizer is required to maintain these records for a minimum of one year following the date of sale.

Any person found to be in violation of this bill is subject to a civil penalty of up to $200 for a first offense and up to $500 for a second and each subsequent offense.

This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.