H.578 (Act 118)
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
- Sponsor(s)
-
- Rep. Emilie Krasnow
- Additional Sponsors
- Rep. Ian Goodnow
- Rep. Kenneth Goslant
- Rep. Barbara Rachelson
- Last Recorded Action
- Senate 5/29/2026 - House message: Governor approved bill on June 8, 2026
Bill/Resolution Text
NOTE: to print information that appears on a tab within the bill page, use the Print link on that tab.
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Detailed Status
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Expand row | Body | Date | Journal | Calendar | Location | Full Status |
|---|
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Roll Call History
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Expand row | Body | Date | Journal | Location | Full Status |
|---|
Although procedurally bills and resolutions are assigned to only one committee at a time, other committees may review the bill or resolution. This page contains results from both the assigned committee as well as other committees.
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Committee Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee | Actions |
|---|
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Meeting Full List
Regular Session 2025-2026
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 1:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk-Through and Witness Testimony
Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Lead Sponsor, House Committee on General and Housing
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Heather Bent, Vermonters Against Cruelty and Abandonment
Renee Falconer, Vermonters Against Cruelty and Abandonment
Trevor Whipple, Former Police Chief, Barre and South Burlington
Joanne Bourbeau, Northeastern Regional Director, Humane World for Animals
Ann Chynoweth, Humane World for Animals
Jen Straub, Dorset Equine Rescue
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
Era MacDonald, Founder and Executive Director, Merrymac Farm Sanctuary
- 3:45 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Aliena Gerhard, State's Attorney, Lamoille County State's Attorney's Office
Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Steven Brown, State's Attorney, Windham County
- 1:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
Friday, January 30, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 11:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
Kim McManus, Legislative Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
- 10:30 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
Erika Holm, Chair, Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board
Kim McManus, Legislative Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Friday, February 6, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,
- 1:15 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Review of Draft 2.1 and straw poll
Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Lead Sponsor
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry,
- 3:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Bill Review
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 2:45 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry,
- 2:10 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Steve Collier, General Counsel, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Kaitlynn Levine, State Veterinarian, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Friday, February 13, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 11:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Discussion and Vote
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Ways and Means,
- 4:40 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
vote
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Appropriations,
- 1:40 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk through
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Sponsor
Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
Friday, February 27, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Appropriations,
- 9:05 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Vote
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk-through and Witness Testimony
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Kim McManus, Legislative, Policy and Records Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs
Friday, April 10, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 10:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:10 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Erika Holm, Co-Executive Director, Central Vermont Humane Society
- 9:45 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Mark-up and Committee Discussion
Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 10:30 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Mark-up
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 10:30 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Mark-up
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Judiciary,
- 9:00 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Mark-up
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 9:55 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Vote
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Finance,
- 1:30 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk-through
Rep. Emilie Krasnow, Reporter, House Committee on General and Housing
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Chris Rupe, Associate Fiscal Officer, Joint Fiscal Office
Friday, May 8, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Finance,
- 3:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Review of amendment and vote
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
- Committee(s):
- Senate Committee on Appropriations,
- 2:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk-through and Vote
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Judiciary,
- 11:30 AM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
- 2:00 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Witness Testimony
Lisa Milot, Director of Animal Welfare, Department of Public Safety
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
- Committee(s):
- House Committee on Ways and Means,
- 1:30 PM
-
H.578 - An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Walk-through of Senate changes and straw poll
Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Committee Documents
- House Committee on AppropriationsOpens in a new window
- House Committee on Government Operations and Military AffairsOpens in a new window
- House Committee on JudiciaryOpens in a new window
- House Committee on Ways and MeansOpens in a new window
- Senate Committee on AppropriationsOpens in a new window
- Senate Committee on FinanceOpens in a new window
- Senate Committee on JudiciaryOpens in a new window
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
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, 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
Fiscal notes and materials available on this web page are provided for informational purposes only, and may not comprise all materials received by the Vermont Legislature or the final fiscal information related to a specific bill. The Legislature is not responsible for the accuracy of any information in these materials, and their posting does not constitute approval or endorsement by the Legislature.
No fiscal documents found for H.578 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference members found for H.578 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Committee of Conference Meetings
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Meeting Date | Committee | Time | Actions |
|---|
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Committee of Conference Meeting Full List
Regular Session 2025-2026
No committee of conference meeting history found for H.578 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
No committee of conference report found for H.578 in the Regular Session 2025-2026.
Act
An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Statutes Affected
Regular Session 2025-2026
| Statute |
|---|
| 13 V.S.A. § 351. Definitions |
| 13 V.S.A. § 352. Cruelty to animals |
| 13 V.S.A. § 352a. Aggravated cruelty to animals |
| 13 V.S.A. § 353. Degree of offense; sentencing upon conviction |
| 13 V.S.A. § 354. Enforcement; possession of abused animal; searches and seizures; forfeiture |
| 20 V.S.A. § 3202. Establishment of Division of Animal Welfare; powers and duties |
| 20 V.S.A. § 3203. Animal Welfare Fund |
Staff & Other Information
- Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel
- Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel