Legislative Alerts

The Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 1156, which would expand the state’s dangerous dog law, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  Residents are urged to contact committee members and politely ask them to not advance Senate Bill 1156 as introduced, and to work with knowledgeable animal advocacy organizations and stakeholders […]

Florida Senate Bill 660, which seeks to exempt from public records requirements the identifying information about persons who foster, adopt, or receive legal custody of animals from certain shelters, is scheduled for a hearing by the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 4:00pm. It is important that Florida residents who […]

Summary: On Monday, January 22, the Roseburg City Council will consider the adoption of multiple changes to their animal control laws – including new limitations on the number of dogs and cats a city resident may possess.  Residents are encouraged to express their opposition to the proposal (scroll down for more information). Summary: As currently […]

On Wednesday, January 24, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing on a bill that includes establishing requirements for the microchipping of dogs upon a transfer of ownership if the dog has not already been a microchipped. Those who wish may comment on this bill using the information below. Summary: Senate Bill […]

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 […]