1988-11-08-State-Election-Warrant

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QUESTION 3 REGULATING TREATMENT OF FARM ANIMALS Do you approve of a law summarized below, which was disapproved by YES the House of Representatives on May 2, 1988, by a vote of 2-150, and disapproved by the Senate on May 3, 1988, by a vote of 0-34? NO SUMMARY The proposed law would require the Commissioner of the Department of Food and Agriculture to issue regulations to ensure that farm animals are maintained in good health and that cruel or inhumane practices are not used in the raising, handling or transportation of farm animals. The Commissioner would issue regulations, effective within four years after passage of the proposed law, about the surgical procedures used on farm animals, the transportation and slaughter of farm animals, and the diet and housing of those animals. The Director of the Division of Animal Health could issue exemption permits for a period of time up to one year and one half to any farmer. Under the proposed measure, an unpaid Scientific Advisory Board on Farm Animal Welfare comprised of veterinarians and animal scientists would also be established within the Department of Food and Agriculture. The Board would examine animal agricultural practices, issue for publication certain reports on farm practices, and make non-binding recommendations to the Commissioner about specific regulations. If appropriated by the legislature, the Board may allocate an annual sum of not more than ten cents per Massachusetts citizen to assist farmers in adopting methods which are consistent with the purposes of this law. The Director of the Division of Animal Health would be responsible for enforcing regulations issued as a result of this proposed law. Persons who violate the new law would be punished by a fine of up to $1,000. A YES vote would require new state regulations concerning treatment of farm animals, and would establish a Scientific Advisory Board on Farm Animal Welfare. A NO vote would not require new state regulations concerning treatment of farm animals, and would not establish the proposed Advisory Board. QUESTION 4 STOPPING ELECTRIC POWER PLANTS THAT PRODUCE NUCLEAR WASTE Do you approve of a law summarized below, upon which no vote was YES taken by the House of Representatives or the Senate before May 4, 1988? NO SUMMARY The proposed law would provide that, after July 4, 1989, there shall be no further generation of electric power by commercial nuclear power plants in the Carmonwealth by means which result in the production of nuclear waste.