The following list highlights some of the AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) legislative successes through March 31, 2024. 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 2024, 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
Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors. It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”. As introduced, the bill also included a new definition of “extreme weather”, defined by a heat advisory, certain weather warnings (such as a monsoon, dust storm, etc.), and when the temperature is below 32 degrees or over 100 degrees. Although in this measure it only applied to when proper bedding was required, AKC was concerned about the definition being used in the future to restrict when dogs could be outside, without consideration for the needs and abilities of specific breeds. References to “extreme weather” were removed from the bill. The bill awaits final approval by the Senate.
Senate Bill 1204 would have expanded current problematic law in matters relating to seizure of animals. It expanded when an animal may be seized and increases the amount of the bond required per animal to cover boarding, veterinary care and impound fees. While the money would be returned if the owner is found not guilty, current law would still cause an owner to lose the animals if they do not pay the bond within 10 days. It also allowed for third parties to care for the animal during the proceedings. AKC contacted the sponsor asking for clarification on the requirements for those permitted to care for the animals, and for the owner be given the right to approve who cares for the animal. It was held in the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee.
Connecticut
HB 5223 seeks among other changes, to amend the legal definition of “grooming facility” to include those doing business in “any vehicle or trailer”. During a February 28 hearing on the bill by the Joint Committee on Environment, AKC and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs requested a bill amendment to ensure that the bill’s language would not be broadly interpreted to include professional handlers exhibiting in the state. Following AKC’s request and a meeting with legislative and administrative staff, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture determined that those who groom a dog in preparation for a competitive event would not be impacted by the language.
Florida
HB 297/SB 272 sought to authorize a court to appoint a separate advocate regarding an animal’s welfare in prosecutions and certain other court proceedings. AKC GR submitted a letter of concern on this legislation. SB 272 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee, then died in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. HB 297 died in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
CS HB 873 /CS SB 1156 sought to expand dangerous dog provisions and requirements and establish a dangerous dog registry. AKC GR recommended amendatory language; HB 873 was favorably amended in the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee; and SB 1156 was favorably amended in the Senate Committee on Agriculture. However, neither bill additionally advanced prior to end of session, and both bills died in their respective committees. Read more about this legislation.
Georgia
SB 142, as introduced, sought to problematically expand the definition of “dangerous dog.” Among other requirements, the owner of a “dangerous dog” would have been required to provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 specific to bodily injury or property damage caused by the dog. AKC GR provided recommended amendatory language to the Georgia Canine Coalition, and the bill was positively amended by committee substitute in the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee on February 22, 2024. The committee substitute included more reasonable provisions and required liability insurance in the amount of $50,000. However, the bill received no additional action and did not advance prior to end of session.
HR 1368, which commends the benefits and contributions of purebred dogs and recognizes May 1, 2024, as Purebred Dog Day in the State of Georgia, was adopted by the House of Representatives on 3/7/24. HR 1368 is in addition to SR 344, which was adopted by the Georgia Senate to recognize Purebred Dog Day. Read more about this resolution.
Senate Resolution 344, which commends the benefits and contributions of purebred dogs and recognizes May 1, 2024, as Purebred Dog Day in the State of Georgia, was adopted by the Georgia Senate on January 24, 2024. Click here then click “Current Version” to read the resolution in its entirety. Gail LaBerge, President of the Georgia Canine Coalition, worked tirelessly to advance this resolution. Read more.
Indiana
House Bill 1412 allows pet stores to continue to operate in the state and overturns current local retail bans that have already passed in several Indiana communities. The bill also mandates the registration of all rescues that transfer more than 12 dogs in the state and allows for inspections of rescues if there are complaints about the care of the animals. At the request of AKC and the Indiana Purebred Dog Alliance, the Senate Agriculture Committee amended the bill to ensure it solely addressed standards for pet stores and commercial breeders who source to them, and remove language that could have been misconstrued as requiring hobby breeders to comply with standards designed for large commercial kennels. With this amendment, AKC was neutral on the bill, which was signed by the governor and goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
Kansas
HB 2542 as introduced was would have required licensees under the Kansas Pet Animal Act to post a bond for the care of animals if they are seized by the Department of Agriculture for violations of the Act. The bill had no limits on the amount of the bond/cost of care and AKC participated in multiple meetings with key legislators and agency staff to convey our concern that even if someone does not mistreat their animals, they can ultimately lose ownership simply because they cannot afford to post a bond. The bill was amended to remove all bond for care language, along with many other provisions. It will not advance this year.
Kentucky
HB 258 defines “serious physical injury or infirmity,” redefines “torture,” provides that torture of a dog or cat is a Class D felony, and provides that each act may constitute a separate offense. Existing law and HB 258 include necessary exemptions, and this bill specifically exempts breed-specific alterations such as cropping ears, docking tails, and declawing a cat when performed by a veterinarian. A Committee Substitute bill that was discussed by AKC GR with legislative staff and was supported by AKC and allied organizations was signed by the Governor on April 4.
Maine
On March 12, S.P. 979 was filed recognizing May 1 as Purebred Dog Day. It was immediately adopted in the Senate and the House concurred with its adoption the next day, March 13. On March 20, it was passed to be enacted.
Massachusetts
SB 1056 would, among other provisions, require a minimum of 100 square feet per dog for outdoor enclosures and ban the kenneling of any dog outside unattended for more than 5 hours or from 10pm to 6am. AKC opposes the measure as introduced. On February 6 the bill was sent to study order and will not advance.
New Hampshire
HB 1501 would repeal the requirement that cats and dogs be registered annually. AKC testified in opposition at a House Environment and Agriculture Committee’s February 21 public hearing and the committee voted it inexpedient to legislate on March 13 and the full House agreed on March 28.
HB 1505 would establish an animal abuse offender registry. The House Environment and Agriculture Committee received AKC testimony in opposition for the February 20 public hearing because registries have not been shown to deter animal abuse and alternative enforcement methods are more effective. The committee voted the bill inexpedient to legislate on March 5.
HB 1556 would remove the requirement that dogs exempt from the rabies vaccine requirement be muzzled when outside. AKC testified in opposition at a House Environment and Agriculture Committee’s February 21 public hearing and the committee voted it inexpedient to legislate on March 13 and the full House agreed on March 28.
HB 1173 would authorize seizure and a court order to issue and euthanize any dog that has attacked a human being or a domestic animal that resulted in the puncture or tearing of skin, two or more times within a 12-month period. AKC expressed concerns at a House Environment and Agriculture Committee’s February 21 public hearing that the bill did not account for instances where a dog might respond to a trespasser or have been provoked. The committee voted it inexpedient to legislate on March 13 and the full House agreed on March 28.
HB 1316 would define “co-ownership” of dogs so the city of Manchester, NH could verify whether dogs being boarded at an individual’s house without the proper zoning permit is valid or not. AKC reached out to the bill sponsor and city to identify an alternative solution. AKC submitted testimony in opposition to the House Environment and Agriculture’s February 21 public hearing noting the bill would remove privacy protections for some New Hampshire dog owners. On March 13, the committee voted the bill inexpedient to legislative expecting a local solution would be found and the full House agreed on March 28.
HB 1684 seeks to expand the relationship eligible for “loss of consortium” damages in civil cases to include pet owners in cases involving the person’s pet when its death was caused intentionally or recklessly. AKC expressed opposition to the bill, which was considered by the House Judiciary Committee on February 21, 2024. The committee voted it inexpedient to legislate on March 12.
SB 541 would have defined “pet vendor” as related to a “retail pet store” as a licensee that transfers animals at retail to the public from a physical facility. It would also: cap “retail pet stores” to the transfer of cats and dogs at 2023 levels; prohibit the sale of “retail pet stores” to anyone but family members; and require future NH “retail pet stores” to source dogs and cats only from animal shelters. AKC issued an alert and testified in opposition. The committee voted February 6 to refer the bill to interim study. A companion bill, HB 1680, was considered by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. AKC testified in opposition with NH DOGS and the bill was voted inexpedient to legislate on February 6. Details are here.
Rhode Island
HB 7639 sought to declare that animals would no longer be considered as property under the law, reversing centuries of legal tradition and potentially destabilizing laws impacting animals. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. After discussions with AKC and the state veterinarian, the bill sponsor withdrew the bill from further consideration.
HB 7294 would prohibit captive hunting for domestic or wild animals without prohibiting the release of upland game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves. AKC negotiated a clarifying amendment with proponents of the bill to ensure that adoption would not interfere with lawful field trials.
Utah
House Bill 478 as introduced sought to regulate breeders in the state, and included multiple amendments requested by AKC on a previous version from 2023. The House of Representatives removed all the breeder requirements from the bill and instead passed a bill with standards and requirements for shelters and rescues. The bill as amended was signed by the governor and goes into effect on May 1, 2024.
Washington
HB 1012 is a bill carried over from 2023 that will provide state grants to localities so they can protect their citizens and their pets during extreme weather events. This would include funding for emergency shelters, transportation and lodging during extreme weather. AKC issued written and oral testimony in support of this bill, which was signed by the governor on March 19.
West Virginia
Senate Resolution 60 declares May 1, 2024, as Purebred Dog Day in West Virginia. It recognizes the dedicated individuals in West Virginia who breed dogs to develop unique, predictable characteristics that enable dogs to excel in a wide range of beneficial areas. It also recognizes the “benefits and contributions” of purebred dogs and discusses their importance to society, history, and culture. AKC thanks Adrianne Dering of the Mountaineer Kennel Club for her work on getting this resolution drafted and advanced. It passed on March 1.