Rabies control data.

Existing law governs the seizure, rescue, adopting out, and euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal control officers, law enforcement officers, animal shelters, and rescue organizations. Existing law requires the governing body of each city, city and county, or county to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program. This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to collect certain rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county, as outlined. The bill would authorize the department to contract out this requirement to a California accredited veterinary school. By increasing the data collected from each city, city and county, and county, this bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.