The following list highlights some of the AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) legislative successes through March 31, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.