The American Kennel Club has been advised that House Bill 120 has been amended to include “commercial dog breeder regulations”. The amended bill is scheduled to be voted on by the House Consumer and Human Resources Committee tomorrow, March 1, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.
Concerned dog owners are urged to immediately contact committee members and respectfully ask that they not advance any amendments regarding dog breeding until impacted citizens have the opportunity to review and comment on them. See contact information, below.
The AKC understands that this amendment contains language substantially similar to House Bill 265, which seeks to regulate, inspect, and require payment of unknown fees by owners of 11 intact female dogs “kept for the purpose of breeding”. Under this bill, a person who owns 11 intact females and sells a single puppy could be regulated as a commercial breeder.
Further, because HB 120 was amended in subcommittee to contain dog breeder regulations, the newly amended language has not been shared with stakeholders or posted to the state legislative website for review by impacted citizens and dog owners.
Committee Member Contacts:
Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, Committee Chair, (615) 741-7475, rep.jimmy.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mark Pody, Committee Vice Chair, (615) 741-7086, rep.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Susan Lynn, sponsor of amended bill HB 120 and HB 265, (615) 741-7462, rep.susan.lynn@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Glen Casada, (615) 741-4389, rep.glen.casada@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Jimmy Matlock, (615) 741-3736, rep.jimmy.matlock@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Rick Staples, (615) 741-0768, rep.rick.staples@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Dwayne Thompson, (615) 741-1920, rep.dwayne.thompson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Mark White, (615) 741-4415, rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov
For more information, please contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org or 919-816-3645.