The following list highlights some of the AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) legislative successes through June 30, 2026. These and other victories have been won in cooperation with AKC federations, clubs, and responsible dog owners and breeders around the country who continue to work tirelessly to promote positive canine legislation in their state and community.
To view all Legislative Alerts posted for your state in 2026, as well as the latest information on all bills being tracked by the AKC Government Relations Department, visit the AKC Legislative Action Center at www.akcgr.org.
Arizona
SB 1539 attempted to establish new tax, health, and welfare requirements for Arizona breeders of dogs and cats, including mandatory veterinary certification, breeding practices, and civil penalties for noncompliance. The AKC issued alerts against the bill and submitted testimony and the bill did not advance.
SB 1675 sought to expand and strengthen restrictions on the public sale and advertisement of animals in Arizona’s larger counties and increases penalties for violations. The AKC issued alerts against the bill and submitted testimony and the bill did not advance.
Connecticut
HB 5264 sought to make changes to multiple dog-related statues. AKC opposed HB 5264 because sections 4 and 5 of the bill confused crimes against persons with property-related or animal cruelty offenses. After a substitute was approved by the Joint Insurance and Real Estate Committee, the bill failed to gain any additional traction prior to the legislature’s adjournment on May 8, 2026
Originally, HB 5283 sought to give Connecticut cities and towns the authority to locally ban retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill temporarily passed the House on May 4th, and an amendment was accepted that would have created a state-level ban of the retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits at pet stores unless sourced from a shelter, pound, or adoption/rescue organization. The Legislature did not advance the measure further prior to adjournment.
SB 318 sought to establish a work group to study ways to improve the funding of the state’s animal population control program. The bill lists those who must be part of the group, which originally included, “a representative of an animal rights organization.” AKC requested this requirement be amended to include a representative of an animal welfare organization. This change was incorporated into a joint committee substitute that was approved by the Senate in April and the House on May 8th. The bill awaits the governor’s action.
Florida
SB 1004 directs the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to publish voluntary breeder guidelines and consumer education resources, rather than implementing statewide licensing. The legislation also strengthens protections for pet buyers by expanding remedy timeframes, removing caps on veterinary reimbursements, requiring financing disclosures, mandating access to medical records, and establishing a three-day waiting period for financed purchases. Significant advocacy efforts from AKC GR, the state federation, and local clubs led to major changes, including replacing a proposed mandatory breeder licensing program (originally SB 1356/HB 1521) with a voluntary best practices framework. The bill is waiting approval or veto from the Governor.
Georgia
SB 590 would have established new regulations for dog breeders in the state by expanding the definition of a “dog breeder” and creating additional requirements related to the care, housing, and treatment of dogs kept by individuals who breed dogs above certain thresholds. The legislation also placed limits on the number of dogs that certain breeders may own or maintain. AKC and its state federation opposed this bill, which did not advance this year.
Hawaii
HB 1594 would have required proof of sterilization for all dogs and cats imported into Hawaii, with exemptions for short stays, medical necessity, and registered breeders, and directed the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry. The bill was deferred by the House Agriculture Committee and will not advance this year. We met with the author, issued alerts against the bill and testified in committee hearing against the bill. The bill didn’t, ultimately, advance.
HB 1736 was a bill that sought to require mandatory spay/neuter for cats. As the bill moved through the Legislature, an amendment was proposed to include dogs. AKC GR issued an alert and joined the state federation in testifying against the bill amendment. After much opposition to the bill, including the amendment to include dogs, the bill did not advance.
SB 2710 attempted to establish comprehensive regulations and penalties for commercial dog breeders, create an animal abuser registry, criminalize animal hoarding, and increase penalties for animal cruelty in Hawaii. AKC GR met with the sponsor, rallied support against the bill and testified in a committee hearing against the bill. Even after heavy amendments, due to much opposition, the bill did not advance.
SB 3012 was the companion bill to HB 1594 and also required proof of sterilization for all dogs and cats imported into Hawaii, with exemptions for short stays, medical necessity, and registered breeders, and directed the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry. AKC GR met with the sponsor, rallied support against the bill and testified in a committee hearing against the bill. Although the bill was eventually watered down, it also did not advance.
Kansas
HB 2698 authorized courts to permanently seize animals from owners found guilty of violating county animal care resolutions. If an animal were determined to pose a substantial public health, safety, or welfare risk; were likely to be mistreated in the future; or is prohibited by county resolution, the court could remove the animal and dispose of it per county procedures. AKC expressed concerns about impact those ultimately found not guilty of such charges. The bill did not advance.
Maryland
HB 1551 would have established a significant and costly new regulatory system for all dog breeders in Maryland, including mandatory registration, puppy birth certificates, microchipping, and a dedicated fund to support animal shelters and spay/neuter programs. AKC GR provided both written and oral testimony and as a result of AKC alerts, the sponsor and House Economic Matters Committee received many comments from Maryland breeders. The Committee did not take a vote on the bill prior to the session crossover date, effectively killing the bill.
Missouri
HB 2292 would have required certain social workers to report any animal cruelty they believe they encountered while performing their official duties. State workers would have been required to take at least 90 minutes of training in recognizing animal cruelty that would have been developed by the state “in conjunction with (unstated outside) animal welfare organizations”. AKC was concerned the bill lacked clear definitions and parameters to protect innocent pet owners and ensure proper training. AKC GR issued an alert highlighting portions of the bill that needed clarification – such as who would develop and provide the training course, and questions on investigations and potential false reporting. Thanks to the many calls and emails received, and extensive work by our Missouri federation, the bill was amended to address concerns.
HB 2567 sought to significantly amend current law and regulate anyone with more than 3 intact females over the age of 6 months kept “for the primary purpose of breeding”. It also struck language in current law that exempts hobby/show breeders from licensing and inspection requirements. Some of these requirements were not compatible with a home-based environment. AKC and our Missouri federation rallied breeders at the beginning of session to contact the Speaker’s office and their State Representative in opposition. The bill did not receive a hearing.
As introduced, HB 3304 would have made significant changes to the state’s dangerous dog laws that were so extensive that even very minor incidents like a puppy nip could have significant ramifications for pet owners. AKC GR and MOFed provided recommendations to the sponsor. The bill was substantially amended to provide penalties for those who fail to provide “adequate care or adequate control”, with increased penalties based on the harm caused. The bill did not advance.
New Hampshire
HB 1276 allowed for non-economic damages for the death of a companion animal through abuse or negligence. AKC opposed this bill, which was voted “inexpedient to legislate” by the House Judiciary Committee and did not advance.
New Jersey
A.4051/S.2011 would have prohibited the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops and repeal the state’s “Pet Purchase Protection Act.” The bills were also amended to include language potentially regulating hobbyists as professional pet stores. AKC GR issued alerts and met with many members in opposition to the bills and amendments. Neither bill ultimately passed prior to the end of session in January 2026.
New York
Assembly Bill 165/Senate Bill 6380 provides numerous guidelines regarding the tethering of dogs outdoors. As amended, the bill does not allow for tethering for over 4 hours, during overnight hours, or in conditions where a dog’s health and safety are at risk. Further amendments requested by AKC and sportsmen were added to protect a variety of dog performance events and activities including hunting, tracking, “winter dog sports”, and training for these activities. A. 165 passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee, but neither it nor its companion bill S. 6380 advanced further before the end of session.
Assembly Bill 6145, like A. 165, sought to regulate the tethering of dogs. This bill provided shelter requirements for dogs tethered outside for more than 30 minutes, and regulates the temperature in which a dog may be tethered outdoors, without accounting for the needs and abilities of various breeds, or considering working, sporting and other dogs that are acclimated to performing tasks outdoors. The bill was held in the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
A. 8375/S. 7612, strongly supported by AKC, provide a toolkit for transitional shelters to better support victims of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness and their pets. The bills passed the Assembly and Senate. For many years, the AKC has been proud to provide grants to domestic violence shelters so they can better care for victims and their pets. Should the program be signed by the governor, AKC looks forward to working with the state to promote the success of this toolkit and other programs with similar goals to ensure that both these vulnerable members of society and their pets receive the safety and care they deserve. The bills passed the Assembly and Senate.
Senate Bill 3026/Assembly Bill 8551 would ban the practice of debarking unless medically necessary to treat an illness, disease or injury. AKC and its state federation opposed restricting the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians. AKC supported the portion of the bill that bans individuals performing these procedures. While both bills passed all policy committees, and S. 3026 passed the Senate, there was no final vote in the Assembly before the end of session.
Senate Bill 8252/A. 8653 as introduced would have required all who sell more than 9 puppies a year to be licensed and regulated as commercial pet dealers. AKC and the Associated Dog Clubs of New York State worked in opposition to these bills, which have now been amended to change the definition back to current law. Although AKC was extremely grateful for these changes, concerns and questions remained about bans on the sale of animals not bred/raised by the owner. The bills did not ultimately pass before the end of session.
Oklahoma
HB 4055 was defeated in the Oklahoma House Agriculture Committee by a vote of 3-4 following AKC’s direct engagement with lawmakers via written testimony and discussions with key members. This bill defined anyone who owns one intact dog as a commercial dog breeder, subjecting them to state licensing requirements and unannounced inspections of their private homes or kennels. Additionally, AKC successfully opposed HB 3393, a similar measure that never received a hearing and ultimately failed to advance before a key legislative deadline on March 26.
Rhode Island
AKC expressed opposition to SB 2610, which seeks to allow the rewarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed. The bill was held for further study by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and no further action has been taken at the time the session ended.
South Carolina
S 720, titled the “South Carolina Humane Dog Breeding Act,” would have established a statewide regulatory framework for professional dog breeders. Among many provisions, this comprehensive bill outlined definitions and application requirements; authorizes inspections of breeding facilities, dogs, and breeder records; and sets commercial care standards for licensed breeders, including requirements related to housing conditions, sanitation, space, food and water, and daily care of animals. It also included consumer protection provisions related to the sale of dogs and created a mechanism allowing authorities to seize dogs kept in violation of the act. AKC expressed many concerns with the bill as introduced, and issued alerts, communicated with key lawmakers, and worked with other concerned stakeholders. S 720 was defeated by not being heard in the full committee before a late May 2026 recess.
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, provided the work or tasks performed by the dog are directly related to the individual’s disability.” AKC issued an alert in support of the use of service dogs and condemning misrepresenting pets as service dogs. The bill was signed by the Governor.
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. AKC issued an alert in support of the use of service dogs and condemning misrepresenting pets as service dogs. The bill was signed by the Governor.
Tennessee
SB 1794 sought to establish a centralized registry for dogs deemed dangerous under state or local determinations as a way to track dogs involved in serious incidents and to require additional oversight for ownership and handling. The bill has been tabled, halting its progress for the current legislative session.
Utah
HB 87 started as a comprehensive bond for care bill, with many concerns raised by AKC over the rights of owners found not guilty. After meeting with the sponsor, it was ultimately amended along AKC suggestions to allow for animals to be adopted out of animal shelters in complex legal cases and be place with third parties, including co-owners or other responsible parties with an interest in the animal. The bill has become law.
Virginia
SB 792 sought to prohibit pet shops from knowingly selling, offering for sale, or transferring dogs sourced from “puppy mills”, which it defined as a dog breeding operation that fails to provide adequate care, houses dogs in overcrowded or unsanitary conditions, “prioritizes profit over animal welfare”, has been cited for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act or refuses inspection access. AKC expressed concerns with the bill, including using pejorative language in Virginia law, and issued an alert to encourage clubs and breeders to contact the committee. The Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources (ACNR) Companion Animal Subcommittee chose to continue (hold) the bill until 2027.
HB 1238 would have allowed 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. AKC expressed concerns in written testimony over the limits on pet choice and consumer protection. While an amended version passed the House, the Senate Agriculture, Chesapeake, Natural Resources Committee ultimately passed over (defeated) the bill until next session.