Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

H.B. 986
                         GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
                                                                                          May 18, 2022
                                     SESSION 2021                                    HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
     H                                                                                             D
                                  HOUSE BILL DRH10563-NEa-99
     Short Title:   Restrict Unrestrained Transportation of Dogs.                             (Public)
     Sponsors:      Representative Martin.
     Referred to:
 1                                       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 2   AN ACT RESTRICTING THE TRANSPORTATION OF DOGS IN THE OPEN BED OR
 3       OPEN CARGO AREA OF A VEHICLE AND INSTRUCTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
 4       TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON DOG SAFETY.
 5   The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
 6               SECTION 1. G.S. 20-135.2B reads as rewritten:
 7   "§ 20-135.2B. Transporting children under 16 years of age or dogs in open bed or open
 8               cargo area of a vehicle prohibited; exceptions.
 9       …
10       (b1) The operator of a vehicle having an open bed or open cargo area shall ensure a dog is
11   not transported in the bed or cargo area of that vehicle unless the dog is (i) under the physical
12   control of a person other than the vehicle operator, (ii) humanely secured in a cage or other
13   container, or (iii) humanely restrained by a harness manufactured for the purpose of restraining
14   animals.
15       (c)     Any person violating this section shall have committed an infraction and shall pay a
16   penalty of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00), even if more than one child less than 16
17   years of age or dog is riding in the open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle. A person found
18   responsible for a violation of this section may not be assessed court costs.
19       …."
20               SECTION 2. There is appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of
21   Transportation the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in nonrecurring funds for the
22   2022-2023 fiscal year to study issues related to the safe transportation of dogs. The Department
23   of Transportation shall submit the findings of the study to the Joint Legislative Transportation
24   Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division by January 31, 2023.
25               SECTION 3. Section 1 of this act becomes effective December 1, 2022, and applies
26   to infractions committed on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective when it
27   becomes law.
                                  *DRH10563-NEa-99*
Statutes affected: 
Filed: 20-135.2B
Edition 1: 20-135.2B