More on California Bill

From: "Kelly, Mary Lou" Feld Entertainment, Inc. Subject: Update on California Elephant Bill (AB 3027) To Circus Fans and Supporters in California: A hearing was held on this bill (AB 3027) on Tuesday, April 25, in Sacramento. In addition to Ringling Bros., there was a great deal of opposition to the bill from zoos, veterinarians, organized labor, other exhibitors and venues and arenas who would be impacted. The bill would impose arbitrary space requirements and tool restrictions that are objectionable to the circus, other traveling exhibitors, and the zoos. This bill would still make it impossible for us to present our elephants in California and would force most zoos to either close their elephant exhibits or spend tens of millions of dollars. The bill was passed by the Assembly Public Safety Committee in a 5-2 party line vote. However, three of the "yes" votes said that in light of all the opposition, they would NOT vote for the bill on the Assembly Floor unless it was significantly changed to address the opposition from business, labor and the zoos, but voted yes as a "courtesy" to the sponsor. The bill now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where the economic impact becomes the focus. If this Committee passes the bill, it then goes to the full Assembly floor for a vote. We encourage all California Circus Fans and other supporters to contact their Assembly members and ask them to oppose the bill. The following two website links can help: California State Assembly website: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/defaulttext.asp (click on "Find My District" to find out who your state representative is): National Animal Interest Alliance alert (which includes a great template for drafting your letter or e-mail on this issue): http://capwiz.com/naiatrust/issues/alert/?alertid=8682791&type=ST&show_alert=1 Thank you to everyone that contacted the Public Safety Committee members prior to this week's hearing. We greatly appreciate your support and efforts, and we will keep you posted on further developments. Best regards, Mary Lou Mary Lou Kelly Grassroots Coordinator, Government Relations Feld Entertainment, Inc. Phone: (703) 448-4000, ext. 27238 E-mail: mkelly@feldinc.com