-Meet Alex Lee, a Democratic State Assembly member from the Bay Area.

He's a cat lover.

-I have two cats.

I have the younger cat, who's named Udon.

Then I have Sobo, who I adopted.

She is, I think, eight.

-For years, Lee has been involved in efforts in the California legislature to ban the controversial practice known as cat declawing.

Lee described the procedure in graphic terms at a recent legislative hearing.

-Cat declawing is a serious surgery with a cat's final toe joint being removed or its tendons being severed.

I believe that when it is performed for any reason other than the health of the cat, then I believe it is cruel and inhumane.

-Testifying with Lee was Jennifer Conrad, a veterinarian representing the Paw Project.

-It's the equivalent of taking this cigar cutter and cutting off every one of my last phalanxes on my hand.

-Several US cities, states, and more than 30 countries already have banned declawing, arguing that it's cruel and unnecessary.

The American Veterinary Medical Association discourages vets from performing the surgeries.

So far, California lawmakers have been reluctant to pass a ban.

Five different bills since 2018 have failed.

Lawmakers have sided with lobbyists from the California Veterinary Medical Association, which opposes a ban.

-Where we take issue with this measure is that whether you disagree or agree with the idea of declawing, the bill regulates a surgical procedure that falls within the recognized definition and scope of veterinary medicine.

We think that's a concerning precedent.

-Lee hopes this year his pending Assembly Bill 867 overcomes the opposition and gets signed into law.

-Other states like New York have already passed it, so we're just trying to make sure that we're looking out for our little camp burritos' welfare out here.

-Reporting for CalMatters, I'm Ryan Sabalow.