Legislative Alerts

A bill introduced in Iowa would seek to make it the 20th state to officially ban breed-specific laws and regulations. The bill would prohibit cities and counties from enacting any regulation that is specific to a breed or perceived breed.  Cities and counties may still enact laws that apply to all dogs. The AKC supports […]

On the morning of Wednesday, February 3, 2021, three animal bills will be reviewed by the New Hampshire House Committee on Environment and Agriculture.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly encourages those who reside in New Hampshire to contact the committee to express support. 9am: HB 250 would increase, from 25 to 35, the number […]

Two bills are scheduled for hearings by the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. If the bills are advanced by the subcommittee, they will be considered by the full Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday,  January 28. Dog owners with comments or concerns about the bills […]

The Indiana State Senate continues to advance Senate Bill 1, which provides certain liability protections when there has been exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This new law may be of potential interest to some AKC-affiliated clubs with concerns about conducting their events while under a higher-than-normal exposure to liability risks. Those who participate in dog […]

New Jersey Assembly Bill 1365 seeks to prohibit the “harassing or taking” of wildlife at competitive events. Because the bill could impact clubs offering AKC-sanctioned performance events in New Jersey, including those that offer sporting, hound, earthdog, and herding events, it is imperative that AKC-affiliated clubs in New Jersey, and breeders, owners, and performance dog […]

New Jersey Assembly Bill 3231, which seeks to establish animal trunk fighting as an animal cruelty offense, is scheduled for consideration by the Assembly Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports A.3231, and encourages all concerned responsible dog owners in New Jersey to contact the members of the Agriculture […]

As mentioned in a previous alert, the Virginia House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Agriculture Sub-Committee considered a bill seeking to expand the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services by adding as an at-large member an expert in companion animal welfare who is employed by a releasing agency in the Commonwealth. During last […]

On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, two animal bills will be reviewed by the New Hampshire House Committee on Environment and Agriculture.  Links to the bills’ text are embedded in the bill numbers below.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly encourages those who reside in New Hampshire to contact the committee to express significant concerns. HB […]

On Tuesday, January 26, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will be holding a hearing on Senate Bill 210, which provides certain liability protections when there has been exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Those AKC clubs with concerns about the ability to conduct events while under a higher potential exposure to liability actions associated with […]

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 20), the Virginia House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, Agriculture Sub-Committee will be considering House Bill 2109, which seeks to expands the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services by adding as an at-large member an expert in companion animal welfare who is employed by a releasing agency in the Commonwealth. The […]