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During the last legislative session, Hill sponsored several bills having to do with local issues, but having statewide impact. She was the primary sponsor of L.D. 1727, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Notify Municipalities of Rabies Vaccinations of Dogs, to link two existing laws (rabies certification and dog licensing) in a more efficient manner.
The new law ensures that municipal animal control officers (ACO's) are informed when dogs need to be licensed. Hill, who owns an activity and training center for dogs, drafted the bill with direction from York ACO Larry McAfee and York Police Chief Doug Bracy after she learned that about 50 percent of dogs in Maine are unlicensed.
L.D. 1727, now state law, requires that when a dog receives a rabies vaccination, the veterinarian will send a copy of the rabies certification to the Department of Agriculture. The department will then send a copy of the certification to the appropriate town clerk. In turn, the local ACO's can connect with owners of unlicensed dogs to ensure that they become licensed.
The law has been deemed "municipal friendly" by the Maine Municipal Association and is expected to increase non-tax based revenue. Out of the $6 dollar license fee, $2 dollars goes to the Town's Animal Welfare Fund, $3 dollars goes to the State Animal Welfare Fund and $1 dollar goes to the Town Clerk.
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