State Issues: News from the State Capitols
Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2017 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.
California —AB 485 seeks to require all dogs, cats, and rabbits offered for retail sale in California to be obtained solely from public or private animal shelters located in California or non-profit rescue groups. The bill will limit consumer choice, favor unregulated sources of pets over regulated sources, encourage international trafficking of dogs, and harm small businesses. AB 485 will soon be transmitted to Gov. Brown for his signature or veto. Click here to read further.
California – In an effort to address predatory pet leasing schemes, Assembly Bill 1491 originally sought to ban all leases in the state that had dogs and cats as their subjects. The AKC opposed the original version of the bill. The Animal Council, an AKC-recognized California federation, worked with Assembly staff to explain how AKC sanctions leasing for the limited purpose of facilitating the breeding of purebred dogs. The bill was subsequently amended to address concerns prior to passage by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The bill now awaits Gov. Brown’s executive action.
Illinois – House Resolution 602 endorses the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program and supports its efforts to promote responsible dog ownership. This resolution was introduced on September 12 and will likely be considered by the House of Representatives at any time. AKC supports this resolution and encourages Illinois residents to contact their State Representative to support the measure. Read AKC’s alert for more information.
Illinois – House Bill 2810 increases the instances in which an animal is seized on suspicion of cruelty and allows for the court to order those charged (but not yet convicted) of cruelty to animals to pay for the care of seized animals during an ongoing trial. If a payment is missed, the animals are permanently forfeited. Innocent individuals who lack the resources to board pets during a trial could be forced to give up their animals, even if the court finds them not guilty. The bill was rushed through the legislature and AKC GR worked with the federation to express concerns to the governor. The bill was signed on September 15 and becomes law in June 2018. Read more about this legislation.
Massachusetts – H.2277 would make it a civil infraction for an individual to misrepresent a pet dog as a service dog. The bill is scheduled to be considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, September 12. The Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (MassFed) joins AKC in support of the bill. AKC issued a legislative alert and letter in support of H.2277.
Massachusetts – Instead of promoting qualitative health decisions to be made between a breeder and their dogs’ veterinarian, S.460 seeks to legislatively impose numerical whelping limits on dogs and add additional stringent rules on those who hold a kennel license. Both AKC and MassFed oppose S.460. AKC issued a legislative alert and letter in opposition to S.460. The Joint Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee considered the bill on September 12.
Massachusetts – S. 866 seeks to protect owners of sporting dog training areas from criminal or civil responsibility for noise pollutions/nuisances resulting from normal and accepted training activities if they comply with such laws that were in place at the time the training area was established. AKC and MassFed support S.866, and issued a legislative alert and letter of support prior to the bill’s consideration by the Joint Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, September 12.
Massachusetts – S.470 seeks to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs and cats, unless they offer only dogs and cats owned by public or private charitable nonprofit animal shelters, humane societies, or animal rescue organizations for adoption. There is an exemption for pet shops offering for sale dogs or cats born and raised by the owner of the pet shop in a separate facility. Both AKC and MassFed oppose this bill, which was considered by the Joint Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee on September 12. AKC issued a legislative alert and letter in opposition to S.470.
Massachusetts – S.882 seeks to allow new, noneconomic damages in addition to existing damages in cases involving the death or injury of a companion animal. The bill was considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee on September 12. AKC issued a legislative alert and contacted the committee to express opposition to this proposal. Read more.
Massachusetts – House Bill 852 would create an animal abuser registry, which would list all those who reside in Massachusetts and have been convicted of an animal abuse crime. Abuser registration would remain in effect for five years, and those convicted of animal abuse would be required to pay $50 annually to be included. All animal breeders in Massachusetts would be prohibited from transferring an animal to any person listed on the registry. Breeders failing to comply would be subject to fines of not less than $1,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. AKC is concerned that the requirements could be easily evaded, and therefore unfairly punish those breeders attempting to comply. The bill was considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee on July 18. Read more about this legislation.
Massachusetts – Filed pursuant to a constituent request, HB 2290 seeks to change the legal status of pets from personal property to companion animals. The AKC and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (MassFed) both strongly oppose HB 2290. The bill was considered by the Joint Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, July 18, but no action was taken. AKC and MassFed are working in opposition to HB 2290. Read more on this bill.
Massachusetts — Senate Bill 1155 seeks to expand restrictions on dog breeders, establish fines for anyone who fails to license their kennel or require them to relinquish ownership and control of their dogs, and empower the Department of Agricultural Resources to create rules and regulations for individuals who own eight intact female dogs. The AKC has strong concerns about the bill and continues to work with local fanciers in opposition. It has been assigned to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. AKC GR expects SB 1155 to be considered in the coming months.
Massachusetts – H.3561 would establish oversight over the importation of animals for rescue, shelter, foster, adoption, or remote sale. AKC supports H.3561 with further clarifications that remove vague language and ensure that breeders who sell animals they bred are not subject to the provisions of the bill. It was considered by the Joint Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee on September 12.
Massachusetts – S.458 would specifically exempt privately operated animal shelters or rescue organizations from the licensing requirements and regulations imposed on pet shops. AKC and MassFed oppose this bill. AKC issued a legislative alert and letter in opposition to S.458. The Joint Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Committee considered the bill on September 12.
New Jersey – Assembly Bill 772 requires animal owners to pay for the cost of boarding and caring for their animals if the animals are seized pursuant to a charge of animal cruelty. While the owner can contest specific costs in court, and the court may consider the owner’s ability to pay; all costs deemed necessary by the court must be paid before an innocent owner can have possession of their animals again. If payments are not made, the owner will permanently lose their animals, even if the charges are ultimately dropped or the owner is found not guilty. The bill is pending a vote in the Assembly. Click here to read further.
New Jersey — Senate Bill 3041 is a new version of Senate Bill 63/Assembly Bill 2338, which AKC, the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, and allied organizations have actively opposed since it was first introduced in January 2016. As originally introduced, S.63/A.2338 sought to prohibit the sight-unseen sale of dogs and cats; required pet shops to sell dogs and cats only from shelters, pounds, or an animal rescue organization; and repealed the state’s Pet Purchase Protection Act. Amendments preserved the consumer protection law and removed pet store sale restrictions, but established other onerous regulations including designating anyone who transfers 10 dogs in a year as a “pet dealer.” This measure was approved by the legislature, but was conditionally vetoed by Governor Christie. On May 25, State Senator Lesniak, the bill’s chief sponsor, led an attempt to override the conditional veto, but failed. He may try again to garner the required number of votes to override the conditional veto of S.3041 at future voting sessions of the State Senate, which is expected to adjourn in early January. Click here for more information.
New Jersey — Senate Bill 2454 as introduced, sought to impose cost of care requirements for those charged with, but not convicted of, subjecting animals to criminal treatment. Defendants unable to pay would have been subject to forfeiture of their property regardless of the final outcome of the case. It also did not prevent permanent alteration of seized dogs during a case, and did not protect the rights of non-possessory co-owners. As amended, it requires a court to determine a defendant’s ability to pay prior to setting costs, but does not address AKC’s concerns about permanent alteration and the property interests of non-possessory co-owners. SB 2454 passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
North Carolina – House Bill 179 seeks to regulate as “large commercial dog breeders” all who own or maintain 10 or more intact female dogs over the age of six months. AKC GR has expressed concerns with defining a commercial breeder based solely on dog ownership and not on actual sales or commerce. The bill is pending in the House Judiciary II Committee and AKC GR is working to address concerns and develop effective solutions.
Pennsylvania – House Bill 1216 allows law enforcement, emergency responders, and animal control officers to remove animals from vehicles without liability if there is a good faith, reasonable belief the animal is in imminent danger. An effort must be made to locate the driver prior to entry, and steps must be taken to “ensure or restore the well-being of the dog or cat.” These first responders would not be immune from liability if there is evidence of gross negligence, recklessness or wanton misconduct. AKC believes this is a reasonable bill to address the issue of dogs and cats left in potentially dangerous situations. The bill unanimously passed the House on July 7 and is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AKC GR and its Pennsylvania federation continue to monitor this and other measures regarding this issue that are under consideration in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Pennsylvania – House Bill 1652 considers how to handle a companion animal during a divorce case when there is division of property. It allows the court to consider the best interest of the animal, including determining which party would best ensure the pet’s proper care, safety and socialization. AKC appreciates that this bill ensures the care of animals while still defining them as property. Both AKC and its Pennsylvania federation are concerned, however, about the declaration of dogs and cats as “family members” in the legislative findings of the bill, which could set a precedent later for changing the legal status of animals. The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.
Pennsylvania – Senate Bill 636 allows police officers, humane officers, and other first responders to remove an animal from a vehicle under extreme weather circumstances. AKC GR is working with the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs to request amendments to protect owners from liability should their animal harm someone in the course of being removed from the vehicle, and also to clarify that any actions taken by the first responders must be both reasonable and necessary. The bill has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
South Carolina — Senate Bill 3 /House Bill 3668 seek to provide a person found guilty of animal cruelty may be required to pay the costs of care of an impounded animal. S 3 passed in the Senate and has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
South Carolina — House Bill 3009 seeks to license and regulate as a “commercial dog breeder” any person who owns 20 or more female dogs over the age of six months that are capable of reproduction and kept primarily for the purpose of breeding and selling the offspring, with certain exemptions. The House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs has deferred action on this legislation.
South Carolina — House Bill 3069 seeks to regulate and certify “commercial kennel operators” and “certified animal caretakers”, which could include owners and certain employees of boarding kennels and other pet care businesses. HB 3069 has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
South Carolina — House Bill 3272, among other provisions, seeks to make it unlawful to hunt deer with a dog unless on a fenced property of more than 1,000 acres; provides that the owner of a deer hunting dog that enters onto private property without the owner’s permission must pay $50 to the person who “restrains” the dog; and provides for escalating civil penalties and damages equal to one-fifth of the current assessed value of the landowner’s entire property. H 3272 has been referred to House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.