Legislative Alerts

On Tuesday, January 9, after its 2022-2023 session was adjourned, New Jersey’s new 2024-2025 legislative session was convened. 2022-2023 RECAP Several bills of significant concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC) died upon adjournment of the ’22-’23 session.  They included Assembly Bill 1965 (courtroom advocates), Assembly Bill 4920 (residential kennels licensing), Senate Bill 1803 (prohibiting […]

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) House Environment and Agriculture Committee will hear public testimony on HB 1680, which seeks to restrict newly-defined “retail pet stores” to include anyone with a physical facility who transfers more than 30 dogs per year at retail.  Residents and New Hampshire breeders are strongly encouraged to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the New Hampshire Dogs Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) have been notified by the Chair of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee that the public hearing on HB 1102 will NOT occur on January 16, 2024, as originally planned. It will be rescheduled to a future date. […]

1/11/24 Update: Yesterday, Florida SB 660 unanimously passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and has been further referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee.  AKC Government Relations will provide additional information on contacting that committee in a future alert. __________________________________________________________________________ Florida Senate Bill 660, which seeks to exempt from public records requirements the identifying information about persons […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that the Barnstable, Massachusetts, Department of Animal Control’s proposed dog regulations have been amended in response to AKC’s November alert and comments subsequently received by the town. The amended proposal: Clarifies Commercial Kennel versus Multiple Dog License definitions and requirements. Reverts to the annual May 15-September […]

New Hampshire House Bill 1102, which describes brachycephaly as a “birth deformity that causes suffering” and would CRIMINALIZE the sale and breeding of brachycephalic dogs and any dog that could be claimed to have a birth deformity, is scheduled to be considered by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at […]

Recently, New York Governor Kathy Hochu signed a bill making certain hunting competitions illegal.  This new law contains important provisions requested by the AKC to protect training and performance events. Summary: As stated in a previous alert, Senate Bill 4099 and its companion Assembly Bill 2917 make it unlawful and establish a civil penalty for […]

December 28, 2023 Beginning January 1, 2024, those that breed between 5 and 11 intact females must comply with the new law regulating breeders.  The law (SB 876 signed by Governor Abbot in May of this year) will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of […]

December 28, 2023 On Thursday, January 4, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on SB 541, which will restrict newly defined “retail pet stores,” including anyone with a physical facility who transfers more than 30 dogs per year at retail.  Residents and New Hampshire breeders are […]

December 15, 2023 On Wednesday, December 13, the Bakersfield City Council unanimously approved multiple changes to the animal control laws – including licensing and inspections of all breeders and owners of more than three dogs. You can read the adopted ordinances in detail here, but below are a few of the changes to local law: […]