The Private Acts Committee voted April 7 to report House Bill 14-36, which would remove the animal control program from the City of Bartlett’s charter and allow the local governing body to set animal-control practices by ordinance following local approval requirements.

Sponsor Representative Leatherwood told the committee, “This bill removes the animal control program from the city of Bartlett's charter, subject to 2 thirds local approval, allowing the local governing body to dictate changes to their animal control practices by ordinances going forward rather than having do it by charter change.”

During the committee discussion, Representative Hemmer interjected with a lighthearted question about pursuing a personal role; the exchange did not change the sponsor’s description. No formal amendments or additional legal reviews were recorded during the committee debate.

The clerk reported the committee vote as 10 ayes and 0 noes. The chair announced the bill passes and will move on to State and Local Government Committee consideration.