47 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
Arizona – SB 1462 mandates comprehensive, standardized training for Arizona animal control officers, focusing on legal and animal welfare topics. The bill has been referred to the Senate Government Committee. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Arizona – SB 1539 establishes new tax, health, and welfare requirements for Arizona breeders of dogs and cats, including mandatory veterinary certification, breeding practices, and civil penalties for noncompliance. AKC opposes this proposal, which is under consideration in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Arizona – SB 1675 appears to address concerns about roadside animal sales. However, its overly broad language would criminalize legitimate activities by responsible breeders and dog owners. The bill’s prohibition on “selling, marketing, offering, bartering, giving away, displaying, advertising for sale or advertising for adoption” an animal is extraordinarily broad and could ensnare well-intentioned breeders. AKC is expressing concerns with this bill, which is under consideration in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
Arizona – HB 2997 strengthens Arizona’s animal cruelty laws by expanding definitions, increasing penalties, and introducing new protections against tethering and inadequate sheltering of dogs, while providing mechanisms for offender restrictions and animal welfare. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs for consideration. AKC opposes the arbitrary requirements included in this bill that may not be in the best interest of all dogs and situations.
Delaware – HB 131 This Act prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space to showcase dogs or cats for adoption. Retailers will receive a civil penalty of no more than $500 for each prohibited sale. The bill passed the House on January 20, 2026, and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Social Committee with no hearing date scheduled.
Florida – SB 1004 as amended strengthens and modernizes Florida’s consumer protections for buyers who purchase dogs and cats from pet dealers. It extends the timeframe in which consumers can seek remedies for animals found unfit for purchase, requires full disclosure of all financing terms before the sale, and establishes a mandatory 3-day waiting period for financed purchases. The bill also mandates medical records be provided to buyers, clarifies return/exchange/refund rights if an animal is unfit, and treats violations as unfair or deceptive practices subject to penalties. Additionally, it slightly revises the definition of “pet dealer” and requires dealers to retain sales records for at least 7 years. This bill is headed to the Senate Floor after passing its final committee stop.
Florida – The committee substitute for HB 1521(companion bill is SB 1356) shifts the bill from creating mandatory statewide breeder registration and direct state control over breeding operations to a more voluntary, guidance-based framework. It directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop voluntary best management practices for dog breeders, establishes an optional state certification program for breeders who choose to comply, and enhances consumer protection requirements in pet sales, including disclosure standards and expanded return or refund rights for unhealthy animals. The substitute places greater emphasis on transparency and consumer safeguards rather than strict breeder licensing mandates.
Hawaii – SB 3013 prohibits insurance companies in Hawaii from discriminating against dog owners based on breed or appearance in various insurance policies, except when a dog has been declared dangerous by authorities. The bill has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection for consideration. AKC supports this proposal.
Hawaii – SB 2710 establishes comprehensive regulations and penalties for commercial dog breeders, creates an animal abuser registry, criminalizes animal hoarding, and increases penalties for animal cruelty in Hawaii. AKC opposes this bill and has been in contact with the sponsor to express concerns and provide amendments. It is pending in the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
Hawaii – HB 1594 requires proof of sterilization for all dogs and cats imported into Hawaii, with exemptions for short stays, medical necessity, and registered breeders, and directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and related administrative rules. The bill was deferred by the House Agriculture Committee fand will not advance this year. AKC opposed this bill.
Hawaii – SB 3012 is the companion bill to HB 1594 and also requires proof of sterilization for all dogs and cats imported into Hawaii, with exemptions for short stays, medical necessity, and registered breeders, and directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and related administrative rules. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment with amendments and AKC is reviewing.
Hawaii – HB 2011 prohibits insurers in Hawaii from discriminating against dog owners based on breed or appearance in various insurance policies, except in cases where a dog is officially deemed dangerous, to improve housing access and reduce pet surrenders. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Housing for consideration. AKC supports this bill.
Hawaii – SB 3010 allows public officials and, under certain conditions, private citizens in Hawaii to rescue pet animals from unattended vehicles in dangerous temperatures, granting them immunity from liability and establishing procedures for animal care and owner retrieval. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs for consideration. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Hawaii – SB 3011 requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow residents of public and state low-income housing to keep pets under reasonable conditions, prohibits breed and size bans, allows refundable pet deposits but not monthly fees, and permits removal of dangerous animals. The bill has advanced out of the Senate Housing Committee. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Indiana – House Bill 1165 makes numerous changes to the state’s cruelty statutes. AKC, along with local breeders, have clarified provisions with the sponsor and legislative staff ensure that innocent accidents resulting from humane activities or a playful dog would not be considered abuse. The bill has been approved by the House and passed the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on February 12.
Iowa – House File 2190 (formerly HF 2016) makes important updates to Iowa laws regarding pet ownership. These clarifications are important to help a dog owner verify their right to their dog and provide flexibility for individual situations. At the request of AKC and local clubs, the bill also requires a shelter to perform a full body scan for a microchip when a dog enters the shelter, and to do so again “prior to adoption, euthanasia, or transfer of ownership or possession of the dog”. AKC supports this bill, which unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee on January 26 and is pending consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Iowa – House File 2298 makes important updates to Iowa’s laws regulating breeders to address concerns raised by hobbyists throughout the state. AKC and local clubs are supporting this bill, which passed the House Agriculture Committee on February 17.
Kansas – House Bill 2698 authorizes courts to permanently seize animals from owners found guilty of violating county animal care resolutions. If an animal poses a substantial public health, safety, or welfare risk; is likely to be mistreated in the future; or is prohibited by county resolution, the court may remove the animal and dispose of it per county procedures. A hearing was held on Monday, February 9 in the Kansas House Local Government Committee where the bill remains pending. AKC GR has reached out to the sponsor to clarify certain aspects of the bill.
Maryland – HB128/SB299 would require each county board of education to allow for the use of therapy dogs in public schools in the county; subject to certain requirements and policies relating to therapy dogs in public schools. HB 128 was heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on February 5, 2026, with no action taken by the Committee to date. SB 299 is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee on February 25, 2026.
Massachusetts – SB 1458 and HB 2253, opposed by AKC, required persons selling or transferring the offspring of their personally-owned animals to be licensed, inspected and regulated under the state’s authority to oversee pet shops. The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government released a re-drafted bill, HB 4365, which creates a new “personal breeder kennel” municipal license for anyone with three or more intact females whelping a litter in the preceding 12 months who sell or exchange the offspring. The state would issue regulations within 18 months for commercial breeder and personal breeder kennels to be enforced by the state and municipal animal control officers. S. 1458 was reported favorably on November 19th and further referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Massachusetts – HB 2342 and SB 1459 address provisions regarding dangerous dogs. These include requiring the owner consult with a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer to develop a public safety and behavior modification plan that solely employs evidence-based positive training techniques that do not result in pain, discomfort, fear or anxiety and do not use prong or choke collars. Despite concerns raised to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, H. 2342 was reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means. S.1459 was reported favorably on November 19, and referred to Senate Rules.
Massachusetts – HB 2319 mandates annual reporting by certain nonprofit animal placement entities on the importation of dogs and cats into Massachusetts. The report must detail the number of dogs and cats brought into Massachusetts during the previous year, including the state or country of origin for each animal, along with identification of the originating source and transporter. AKC supports the bill, which was favorably released by Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries on November 12 and referred to House Ways and Means.
Massachusetts – SB 618 is one of several bills that would ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops eliminating consumer protections while encouraging the showcasing of animals from shelters and rescues at these locations. It has had a public hearing in the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. A new draft of the legislation is available in S.2720.
Michigan – Senate Bills 293 and 294 address the issue of animals being seized on cruelty charges, and the payment of their care during impoundment. These bills could cause a person accused of cruelty to permanently forfeit their animals even if they are ultimately found not guilty of charges. AKC appreciates that the bills clarify that if the owner is found not guilty, the animal must be returned to the owner. However, the return appears to be incumbent on whether or not the owner has kept up on cost of care payments during the trial. The bills have passed the Senate and are pending in the House Committee on Judiciary.
Michigan – House Bills 4204 and 4205 would allow breweries to permit dogs inside with certain criteria to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of all customers. The bills passed the House Committee on Regulatory Reform and are pending action by the full House.
Missouri – House Bill 2436 revises laws on the impoundment of animals protecting the due process rights of dog owners, by clarifying procedures for warrants, care, and custody during abuse or neglect cases. The bill restricts premature sterilization or euthanasia before hearings, allows approved third-party care, and outlines bond requirements and owner rights if acquitted. Violations involving unauthorized euthanasia or sterilization carry misdemeanor penalties. AKC and our state federation support this bill, which passed the House Agriculture Committee on February 11.
Missouri – House Bill 2567 would require licensure and inspection of all breeders – including hobbyists. This could include requiring hobbyists to comply with requirements that may not be possible for someone breeding a litter in their private home. The bill was filed in response to media reports of a hobbyist in the state being charged with animal cruelty. AKC GR has issued an alert urging hobbyists in the state to contact the Speaker of the House and their State Representative to ask them to not hold all hobbyists accountable for the actions of one person. The bill has been prefiled and is not yet assigned to committee.
New Hampshire – HB 1152 seeks minimal increases to dog licensing fees and establishes a legislative study committee to review state statutes related to dogs and cats. Specifically, it would assess whether current statutes align with regulatory needs and practices and whether the statutes are organized in a clear and accessible manner. The committee would include three members of the New Hampshire House and one member from the New Hampshire Senate. The committee would be required to submit its report by November 1, 2026. The bill was introduced on January 7, the first day of the 2026 legislative session, and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture Committee.
New Hampshire – Similar to HB 1152, HB 1274 would also seek to increase dog licensing fees by $.25. The increase would also apply to licenses for dogs owned by residents 65 years of age or older. Unlike HB 1152, HB 1274 does not seek to create a legislative study committee. The bill was introduced on January 7 and referred to the House Environment and Agriculture Committee.
New Hampshire – Under HB 1276, an owner of a companion animal may recover up to $5,000 in non-economic damages from a person who causes the death of the companion animal through intentional or negligent conduct. If the death was caused by a negligent act, the act that caused the animal’s death must have occurred on the property of the owner while the companion animal was under the control of its owner or other caretaker. The bill would not apply to a nonprofit or a governmental agency, or its employees, negligently causing the death of a pet while acting on behalf of public health or animal welfare. It also would not authorize the awarding of non-economic damages in an action for professional negligence against a licensed veterinarian, and it would not apply to the killing of any dog as authorized under other titles. AKC opposes HB 1276, which was heard by the House Judiciary Committee on February 11, 2026.
New Jersey – S.419 and S.434 both prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; and repeals “Pet Purchase Protection Act.” S.419 also prohibits certain transactions between animal shelters, pounds, animal rescue organizations, and animal breeders or brokers and contains definitions potentially impacting hobbyists. Both bills have been referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee with neither currently scheduled for a hearing.
New Jersey – S.462 is proposed legislation that would require all pet shops, grooming facilities, animal shelters, and pet daycares to install and maintain video monitoring systems. AKC GR is working with the sponsor to ensure that the bill is for commercially operated entities only and would not impact home-based groomers/boarding or grooming that takes place at events. The was a session prefile and has yet to be formally introduced.
Oklahoma – House Bill 3930 updates state law on service, emotional support, and therapy animals. It clarifies definitions, requires sellers and verifiers of emotional support animals to provide written notice that these animals do not have the same legal rights or training as service animals, and sets fines for violations. The bill aims to prevent misrepresentation, enhance consumer transparency, and protect access rights for individuals with disabilities. The bill received a hearing in the Oklahoma House Public Health Committee on February 11, 2026. AKC GR is closely monitoring this legislation.
Oklahoma – House Bill 4055 would expand state regulation of breeders and shelters by revising licensing requirements, creating new fees and fine structures, and allowing grants to certain animal rescue organizations. The bill establishes the Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Fund and authorizes forfeiture of animals for violations. AKC issued testimony and contacted committee members in opposition to this bill, which was defeated on a 3-4 vote in the House Agriculture Committee on February 17.
Pennsylvania – HB 97 would allow for divorce proceedings to resolve questions regarding custody as it relates to the possession and/or care for a companion animal and recognizes companion animals as property that is different than other types of property. The bill passed the House and is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AKC GR has had conversation with Senate Judiciary Committee chair to ensure that language is limited to divorce/custody proceedings.
Pennsylvania – HB 693 is legislation entitled “All Dogs Equal” which would require all kennels licensed by the state to meet the same standards and requirements for the housing, care and well-being of the dogs maintained at their facilities as are presently in place for commercial kennels. Currently, the various other types and classes regulated licenses in PA (boarding kennels, pet shop-kennels, rescue network kennels, etc.) follow less stringent rules and regulation regarding facilities and other protections required by commercial kennels. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Pennsylvania – HB 879 would permit the Attorney General to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for a felony offense regarding cruelty to animals if requested by a district attorney, or if the district attorney fails to respond to a request from the Attorney General’s office to prosecute. This would permit the attorney general to assist in or handle the prosecuting of large-scale animal cruelty cases in counties. It passed the House Judiciary Committee on October 27, 2025, but has been scheduled for a House floor vote. AKC is monitoring this legislation.
Pennsylvania – HB 1515 is legislation that prohibits insurers in Pennsylvania from discriminating against homeowners based solely on the breed of dog they own, unless the dog has been legally deemed dangerous, with the new rules applying to insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified 60 days after the law takes effect. The bill has been referred to the House Housing & Community Development and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Pennsylvania – HB 1816 bill phases out the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in Pennsylvania pet shop-kennels by 2027, instead promoting adoption through humane societies and rescue networks. It also allows for warrantless searches to ensure compliance. The bill has been referred to House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities and is scheduled for a hearing on February 24, 2026.
Rhode Island – H. 7545 seeks to allow the awarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed. AKC opposes H. 7545 because non-economic damages may be claimed only by the close family of victims who have died or who have been severely injured, not in cases involving damage to personal property like animals; and that allowing non-economic damages in such cases may be an implicit reclassification of animals as humans or quasi-humans under the law. H. 7545 was scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on February 11, 2026.
South Dakota – SB 81 clarifies the definition of “service animal” in the state’s animal cruelty law, aligning it with federal standards. “Service animal” would be defined as, “a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, as set forth in federal regulations, provided the work or tasks performed by the dog are directly related to the individual’s disability.” The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 81 on January 27, 2026.
South Dakota – SB 82 prohibits the intentional misrepresentation of a dog as a service dog. It uses the same definition of “service animal” as SB 81 does, therefore also aligning it with federal standards. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 82 on January 27th.
Utah – HB 87 establishes comprehensive procedures for the seizure, care, forfeiture, and placement of animals involved in criminal abuse cases in Utah, enhancing protections for animal victims and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement, shelters, and the courts. The bill has advanced out of the House and been transferred to the Senate for consideration. AKC currently opposes the bill and is working with the sponsor to address concerns.
Vermont – H.578 seeks to expand definitions and penalties of sexual abuse of animals and to mandate a minimum five-year animal possession ban for cruelty offenders. These are not problematic. However, the bill also seeks to establish new procedures for the seizure, care, and recovery of care costs for animals involved in cruelty investigations. These include the automatic forfeiture of ownership rights in an animal if a defendant fails to make a timely care payment as directed by a court, even if the defendant has not been convicted of cruelty offense. Forfeiture procedures should protect the due process rights of indigent defendants and be designed to eliminate risks of erroneously depriving individuals of their property. The House Judiciary Committee currently has consideration of H.578.
Virginia – HB 1238 allows the governing body of any locality to regulate or restrict the acquisition, marketing, and sale of animals in a pet shop through a local ordinance. Any ordinance adopted may distinguish between certain types of pet shops and include provisions requiring special licensing, inspections, reporting, or restrictions on the sale of certain animals. Bill has been referred to the House Agriculture, Chesapeake, Natural Resources Committee Agriculture Subcommittee. No hearing date has been set.
Virginia – SB 707 makes it unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a surgical devocalization procedure on a dog, except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. This is a substitute version of the bill approved by Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee and referred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note. The bill has passed committees and is pending action by the full Senate. AKC opposes this bill.
Virginia – SB 792 seeks to prohibits pet shops from knowingly selling, offering for sale, or transferring dogs sourced from ‘puppy mills which it defines as a dog breeding operation that fails to provide adequate care, exercise, shelter, or space, houses dogs in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions, prioritizes profit over animal welfare, or has been cited for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act or for refusing inspection access. Bill has been referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources (ACNR) Committee. At a meeting on February 3, the ACNR Companion Animal Subcommittee continued (held) the bill until 2027.
Washington – SB 5974 modernizes Washington State law enforcement leadership standards by establishing uniform eligibility, training, and certification requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, and town marshals, clarifies the roles and supervision of volunteers and cadets, and enhances transparency and accountability. The bill has advanced out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and the Ways and Means Committee and is now before the Rules Committee for consideration. The AKC is monitoring the bill.
Washington – SB 5833 allows people in Washington to leave pets in unattended, running vehicles for up to 30 minutes to protect them from extreme temperatures, provided certain safety conditions are met. The bill has advanced out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and awaits further action. AKC supports this bill.