Legislative Alerts

This week, the Delaware House of Representatives approved a bill to name rescue(d) dogs as the official state dog. Senate Bill 37  passed the House of Representatives and designates rescue dogs as the official state dog.  The bill now goes to Governor John Carney for his signature. While AKC certainly appreciate the intentions of the […]

Yesterday (4/26/23), amendments were proposed to House Bill 3682 by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee. A copy of the amended bill was not provided by the time of this update; however, according to legislative staff, the subcommittee’s amendments to H.3682 include: The scope of a court hearing to determine if an owner is […]

As Washington state’s legislative comes to a close, House Bill 1234 sits on Governor Jay Inslee’s desk; having already passed the House of Representatives and the Senate. This bill expands the reasons allowed for seizing an owner’s animals in suspected cruelty cases and doesn’t guarantee their return in the event the accused is found innocent. […]

This week, animal rights/ “protection” groups are actively lobbying Congress to restrict and limit the activities of dog breeders. They are making unsupported claims that there are “tens of thousands of puppy mills” in the United States, and asking members of Congress to advance arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates that could require small hobby breeders to place […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) published a new five-year strategic plan.  The plan incorporates stakeholder feedback (click here to read AKC’s July 2022 feedback to APHIS), and includes six strategic goals, including promoting the welfare of animals.  That goal features three objectives, including one that […]

In Oklahoma, committee and crossover deadlines came and passed earlier this month and bills that did not yet receive hearings or consideration in their originating chamber have effectively failed. AKC tracked a number of bills this session and below you will find an update on legislation of interest. The session officially adjourns May 26th. Bill […]

Tomorrow, April 26, at 10:00am, the South Carolina Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee is scheduled to vote on House Bill 3682, a bill that would trample the rights of animal owners. This bill has already passed in the House and “crossed over” to the Senate. Swift action is needed by animal owners to stop […]

The Texas Legislature is entering the final month of session and several dog-related bills continue to move, including some with hearings this week. The final weeks of the 88th Regular Session will see a rapid uptick in bills moving through the legislative process. Please be prepared to take immediate action on legislation because bills can […]

This week, the Delaware House Administration Committee will be considering a bill to name rescue(d) dogs as the official state dog. Senate Bill 37  which designates rescue dogs as the official state dog is scheduled for a hearing before the House Administration Committee on Wednesday, April 26, 2026, at Noon.  Previously, the Golden Retriever was […]

Today the Texas Senate approved SB 876. The bill will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license. In discussions with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation it has been clarified that this legislation will […]