H.578 (Act 118)
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Sponsors:
Rep. Emilie Krasnow
,
Rep. Ian Goodnow, Rep. Kenneth Goslant, Rep. Barbara Rachelson
Last Recorded Action: 5/29/2026 - House message: Governor approved bill on June 8, 2026
Committee Activity - Witnesses Who Testified
Regular Session 2025-2026
House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry
- Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Kaitlynn Levine, State Veterinarian, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
House Committee on Appropriations
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Sponsor
- Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Lead Sponsor
House Committee on Judiciary
- Heather Bent, Vermonters Against Cruelty and Abandonment
- Joanne Bourbeau, Northeastern Regional Director, Humane World for Animals
- Steven Brown, State's Attorney, Windham County
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Ann Chynoweth, Humane World for Animals
- Renee Falconer, Vermonters Against Cruelty and Abandonment
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Aliena Gerhard, State's Attorney, Lamoille County State's Attorney's Office
- Erika Holm, Chair, Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board
- Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Lead Sponsor, House Committee on General and Housing
- Era MacDonald, Founder and Executive Director, Merrymac Farm Sanctuary
- Kim McManus, Legislative Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
- Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
- Jen Straub, Dorset Equine Rescue
- Trevor Whipple, Former Police Chief, Barre and South Burlington
- Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
House Committee on Ways and Means
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
Senate Committee on Appropriations
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Senate Committee on Finance
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Reporter, House Committee on General and Housing
- Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
Senate Committee on Judiciary
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- Erika Holm, Co-Executive Director, Programs and Operations, Central Vermont Humane Society
- Kim McManus, Legislative, Policy and Records Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
- Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety