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<BR><BR>SHANNON L. DILLON<BR><BR><BR> <BR>
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From: Antonette.Sorrick@dca.ca.gov<BR>To: che.salinas@sen.ca.gov<BR>CC: bbarragan@socal.rr.com; ericholm@att.net; eric@epholm.com; jneidich@sbcglobal.net; jxavier@dor.ca.gov; tbsfolsom@sbcglobal.net; Cenne.Jackson@dca.ca.gov; Michael.Santiago@dca.ca.gov; frank-welte@sbcglobal.net; mwillows@sbcglobal.net; Creature_girl@comcast.net; shannonldillon@hotmail.com; lauriemehta@yahoo.com; mwatkins@guidedogs.com; DEHartford@GuideDogsofAmerica.org; rhill@gddca.org; Kimberly.Kirchmeyer@dca.ca.gov; John.Perry@dca.ca.gov<BR>Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:27:46 -0700<BR>Subject: SB 250 (Florez)<BR><BR>
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<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Mr. Salinas:</SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">SB 250 (Florez) was amended on August 18, 2010 and is scheduled for third reading today. These amendments failed to address the concerns from the letter provided below. Please advise if the Senator is open to the exemption provided below. Thank you.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">April 27, 2010</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">The Honorable Dean Florez<BR>California State Senate<BR>State Capitol, Room 313<BR>Sacramento, California 95814</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<STRONG><B><I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">RE: SB 250</SPAN></FONT></I></B></STRONG><I><FONT face=Tahoma><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"></SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Dear Senator Florez:</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">The State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind sent a letter of Oppose Unless Amended for SB 250 on May 7, 2009. An excerpt from the letter is provided below:</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.15in; MARGIN-LEFT: 37.5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 56.25pt"><B><I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">"The State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind opposes SB 250 unless it exempts from its provisions guide dogs in training and breeder stock from licensed guide dog schools. Guide dog schools currently pay for dog licenses and should not have to pay an additional fee for unaltered dogs for their breeding stock to produce guide dogs for the visually impaired."</SPAN></FONT></I></B></P>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">On August 31, 2009, amendments were made that did address an exemption for any "owner or trainer of guide dogs." It has come to our attention, however, that some of our stakeholders remain concerned that guide dog breeders are not also exempt from the licensing requirement. At their request, we have written to your office to consider adding said language to the bill upon its re-introduction this legislative session. </SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact me at (916) 574-7825. Thank you.</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Sincerely,<BR><BR><STRONG><B><FONT face=Tahoma><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Thomas B. Scott</SPAN></FONT></B></STRONG></SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Thomas B. Scott<BR>Chair, Legislative Committee<BR>State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind<BR>1625 N. Market Blvd., S-202<BR>Sacramento, CA 95834<BR>(916) 574-7825 phone<BR>(916) 574-7829 fax<BR><A href="mailto:guidedogboard@dca.ca.gov">guidedogboard@dca.ca.gov</A><BR><A href="http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/" target=_blank>www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/</A> </SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
<I><FONT face=Tahoma size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">cc: Board Members<BR>Frank Welte, Governmental Affairs, California Council of the Blind<BR>Mary Willows, President, National Federation of the Blind<BR>Mary Beth Randall, Guide Dog Users California<BR>Shannon Dillon, California Association of Guide Dog Users<BR>Laurie Mehta, Guide Dog Users Incorporated<BR>Nancy Gardner, CEO, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.<BR>Dale Hartford, President, Guide Dogs of America<BR>Roccie Hill, President, Guide Dogs of the Desert<BR>Kim Kirchmeyer, Deputy Director, Board and Bureau Relations, Department of Consumer Affairs<BR>John Perry, Legislative Analyst, Department of Consumer Affairs</SPAN></FONT></I><BR>
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<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Antonette Sorrick</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Executive Officer</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">1625 N. Market Blvd., S</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma color=black><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">-202</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Sacramento</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma color=black><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">, CA 95834</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma color=black><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">(916) 574-7825 direct</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">(916) 574-7829 fax</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">(866) 512-9103 toll free for in-state calls</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><A href="mailto:Antonette.Sorrick@dca.ca.gov">Antonette.Sorrick@dca.ca.gov</A> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><A href="http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/" target=_blank>www.guidedogboard.ca.gov</A> </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"></SPAN></FONT></P>
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