Public Commenting Opportunity

Public commenting is a powerful tool that advocates use to support or oppose rulemaking petitions that impact animals. Student Chapters are encouraged to participate in at least one public commenting opportunity during law school to gain valuable skills and experience, and to possibly be introduced to an animal law topic might not otherwise known. Whether as a chapter or an individual student member, there’s options for you to get involved!

Join us on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 as we launch a new public commenting project with Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Chapters! This interactive meeting will feature Priscilla Rader Culp, senior law school programs attorney, along with Jennifer Bass, 3L Vermont Law and Graduate School, Mason Liddell, 2L University of Colorado Law, and Aidan Bodeo-Lomicky, 2L University of Colorado Law.

Jennifer, Mason, and Aidan will introduce students to the selected topic for this semester and walk through the process for organizing, drafting, writing, and submitting a public comment either as a chapter or an individual. Student chapters are welcome to apply what they learn to the same topic or select a different one. After the meeting wraps up, participants will be surveyed and an optional workshop will be scheduled so that we can all come together, work on tasks, ask questions, and feel supported!

Selected Topic: Petition ID No. 001845: Toxic Substances Control Act Section 21 Petition Regarding N-(1,3- Dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (CASRN 793-24-8, aka 6PPD) in Tires – Final EPA Response to Petition (notice of proposed rulemaking TBD)

During the 2023 Animal Legal Defense Fund Student Convention, Jennifer Bass presented her paper When the Rubber Met the Road…Then the Water, Fish, and Whales: Using the Endangered Species Act to Overcome the Dilution of the Clean Water Act. Jennifer will introduce students to the topic overview during the meeting, but for those interested in learning more: check out Jennifer’s paper and presentation.

University of Colorado Law Student Chapter President, Mason Liddell, and Vice President, Aidan Bodeo-Lomicky, started a chapter-wide public commenting project in spring 2023 and have submitted several public comments as part of the chapter since its launch. Mason and Aidan will walk through the process in getting something like that started, what they’ve learned, what worked (and what didn’t), and how other student chapters may implement something similar. Q&A and discussion to follow.

Watch The Recording →