Twenty legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
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 was passed by the House Health & Human Development following a hearing on May 14, 2025. The bill is expected to be considered in the second half of session starting in January 2026.
Florida – In a late November 2025 press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis announced support for 2026 legislation aimed at cracking down on abusing “puppy mills” and strengthening animal welfare standards in Florida. Many elements of the prospective legislation the governor described are similar to overreaching breeder regulation legislation considered in 2025, which AKC, the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC), and thousands of concerned Floridians strongly opposed. AKC and FAKC have already begun collaborating on 2026 legislative strategy in Florida. The 2026 Florida legislative session began on January 13th.
Florida – SB 1104 seeks to update the state’s consumer protections for those who purchase pets from “pet dealers” (any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association which, in the ordinary course of business, engages in the sale of more than two litters, or 20 dogs or cats, per year, whichever is greater, to the public).
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 had a public hearing in the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee on January 15, 2026, and remains pending.
Iowa – House File 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 is under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee.
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 Senate.
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 introduced on January 7th and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
New Jersey – A.4051/S.2011 both prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; and repeals “Pet Purchase Protection Act.” The bills were amended to modify the definition of “pet store” to potentially impact home-based and hobby breeders. AKC sent out numerous alerts, and neither bill was brought forward for a floor vote prior to session adjourning on January 12. This issue is expected to be brought up again in 2026.
Ohio – House Bill 247 significantly strengthens the state’s dangerous dog laws and includes several provisions recommended by the AKC. AKC supports this bill, which unanimously passed both chambers and was signed by the governor.
Ohio – House Bill 417 seeks to strengthen penalties for violations of the state’s animal cruelty and negligence laws. AKC is requesting a few clarifying amendments to ensure appropriate penalties, and to allow for discretion of local law enforcement in certain situations. The bill is pending in the House Public Safety Committee.
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. 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 3, 2026.
Utah – Senate Bill 70 would require each city or county to designate one emergency shelter either in the community or nearby that would accommodate a person and their pet. Rules may be adopted regarding appropriate care, housing, and other considerations. AKC supports this bill which has been prefiled.
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. H.578 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Washington – HB 2258 permits localities to impose a household excise tax to help fund animal control and shelters. The locality has permission to petition or put the tax to a vote. The tax does have a cap and must be used for animal control and shelters located in that community. AKC is monitoring this bill, which is scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Finance on January 23.
Washington – SB 5833 amends current law, which prohibits any motor vehicle from idling with the motor running. Under this bill, a motor vehicle may idle for up to 30 minutes to protect a pet in the vehicle from extreme temperatures. AKC supports this clarification, which protects pets and could help handlers and others who need to leave a dog in a vehicle during an event. The bill is under consideration in the Senate Committee on Law and Justice.
Washington – SB 5974 makes numerous changes and new provisions regarding law enforcement, including allowing volunteers to assist with certain matters. As introduced, this includes allowing volunteers to assist with animal control and the care of domestic animals. AKC is closely monitoring this bill, which is under consideration in the Senate Committee on Law and Justice.