Legislative Alerts

The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 994 tomorrow, January 11, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Among numerous other provisions, SB 994 seeks to require licensure and regulation of pet stores by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, limit the sources from which retail pet stores may acquire pets, and […]

On Friday, January 14, 2022, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1308, which would ban the capture, possession, and propagation of hares and rabbits for hunting dog training and field trials.  If adopted, HB 1308 would effectively prohibit beagle clubs from continuing to […]

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are four vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee.  Vacancies exist for two members of the public and two veterinarians.  The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of […]

Next Tuesday, January 11, 2022, the New Hampshire Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on SB 368, relative to pet vendor licenses.  This bill would require the ownership of all animals housed in the licensed portion of a pet vendor’s premises to be transferred to another person within 30 days of […]

1/4/22 Update:  Unfortunately, the Assembly Agriculture Committee approved an amended version of A.6099 by a vote of 4-1.  Two of the votes in favor of the bill were by committee members who were defeated in their recent reelection bids.  Like its companion bill S.4058 in the Senate, A.6099 may now be scheduled for consideration by […]

The Animal Welfare Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCAGR) is proposing updates to the rules used to carry out the state’s Animal Welfare Act.  The proposed revisions reflect changes in guidelines and best practices for licensees as well as changes in regulated industries. The rules apply to facilities licensed […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that, as early as January, New Hampshire House Bill 1308 will have a legislative hearing, during which lawmakers will decide whether beagle clubs should continue to be allowed to host field trials and capture 20 wild hare annually for purposes of training their scent hounds.  If adopted, the bill […]

The Caddo Parish Commission recently voted 10-1 in favor of an ordinance requiring dogs to be spayed or neutered, despite concerns raised by the AKC and local residents. The Ordinance will go into effect on July 1, 2022 for a period of two years. The parish will evaluate the ordinance's effects after two years. Unless […]

An ad hoc committee of the Montgomery City Council will meet again on Monday, December 20, 2021, to continue work on a proposed animal ordinance. Media reports indicate that the committee intends to propose: Expanded requirements to obtain a breeding permit, raising the annual permit fee from $20 to $150, and requiring the applicant to […]

12/13/21 update:  The Senate Environment and Energy Committee passed an amended version of Senate Bill 4058.  The committee amendment eliminated the provision that allowed courts to reduce the amount of costs assessed to only veterinary costs.  AKC believes this amendment further makes S.4058 untenable.  AKC Government Relations will continue to provide updates should S.4058 progress […]