Legislative Alerts

The American Kennel Club (AKC) today joined with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and other animal care leaders to urge government officials to help ensure the well-being of animals by allowing businesses that provide products and services for the care of pets to continue to operate during the COVID-19 response.  Dennis Sprung, AKC […]

In response to public health concerns associated with COVID-19, the Maryland Legislature has ended the 2020 session and will not reconvene until January 13, 2021. As a result of the House and Senate working hurriedly to move numerous bills and pass a budget, many bills did not make it to final passage.  Three of those […]

Last night (Thursday, March 19), the Palm Springs City Council voted to reschedule consideration of changes to the city’s animal ordinances. The proposals included restrictions on dog breeding, new and increased fees for dog ownership, new penalties for violating ordinances, and changes to the length the city’s privately-run animal shelter must retain captured animals before […]

The AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) team continues to track and report on legislative changes driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The calendars of all state legislatures not already adjourned have been impacted by these changes.  AKC GR is maintaining a detailed online list, updated a minimum of daily, of those changes. The Status of Legislatures […]

Legislative Leaders in New England continue various steps to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19.  On Tuesday, March 17, the Maine Legislature adjourned after sending Governor Janet Mills an emergency bill to help facilitate the state’s response to the coronavirus.  Governor Mills signed that measure into law yesterday.  Among its many provisions, Public Law Chapter 617 […]

The California State Legislature has voted to suspend its 2020 session from March 20 until April 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the situation remains fluid, those dates may change. As such, California Senate Bill 1041, legislation that bans hunting deer with dogs, was originally scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on […]

In addition to emergency measures to address the COVID-19 virus, the City Council of Palm Springs has stated they will continue with their full scheduled agenda at their meeting on Thursday, March 19.  This includes a second reading on a proposal enacting breeder restrictions in the city. At their February meeting, the council gave initial […]

In response to the latest coronavirus news, AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) has learned that Legislative Leaders in New England have taken various steps to mitigate the outbreak.  Please refer to the summary for each state below and know that we will keep you informed of changes as they develop. Connecticut: After initially re-scheduling public […]

The COVID-19 outbreak and preventative public health measures are impacting legislative schedules and hearings in a number of states. In some states such as New Jersey and Hawaii, in-person visits are being discouraged. Other states are currently considering various options which may include virtual hearings or other methods to continue business while limiting large gatherings.  […]

The Maryland Legislature has announced that it will go into an extended recess (and possible adjournment) on Wednesday in response to public health concerns. As a result, the House and Senate are expediting their work, and moving numerous bills very quickly, including the following: Senate Bill 625 – As introduced, this bill sought to regulate […]