Two bills with a positive impact on Arizona dog owners are moving in the state legislature. Arizona residents are encouraged to reach out to the legislature and express support for the following bills:
House Bill 2323 – Banning Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Dog Breed Discrimination
Status: Pending vote by full House of Representatives – Possibly as early as March 17
Summary: House Bill 2323, which was approved this week by the House Rules Committee, will ensure that insurance companies cannot discriminate against dog owners applying for homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies based solely on the breed of dog they own.
As explained in a previous alert, HB 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may NOT be considered for:
- Determining risk, liability, actual or potential losses, or any other matter relating to claims involving dogs on the premises.
- Surveys and other means of gathering information regarding ownership, possession, or presence of a dog on the premises.
- Findings by legal decisions makers regarding whether a dog is vicious or dangerous as part of determining policy insurance coverage.
This bill would protect responsible dog owners seeking insurance coverage, while still holding all dog owners accountable for the actions of their dog, regardless of the breed they choose to own.
Action Needed: Contact your Arizona State Representative TODAY in support. Visit AKC’s Legislative Action Center and type your address in the “Find Officials” box on the right side of the home page to find the contact information for your State Representative.
House Bill 2626 – Requiring Shelters to Scan for Microchips
Status: Scheduled for a hearing the Senate Government Committee on March 21
Summary: House Bill 2626, among other provisions, will require shelters to scan for a microchip and make efforts to locate owners when a dog is impounded. This bill, which will help reunite lost dogs more quickly with their owners, will be considered by the Senate Government Committee on March 21.
Action Needed: Contact the members of the Senate Government Committee prior to the March 21 hearing and ask them to support this bill that will help reunite owners with their lost pets. The contact information is as follows:
Sen. Kelly Townsend, Chair
(602) 926-4467
ktownsend@azleg.gov
Sen. Sonny Borrelli, Vice Chairman
Phone: (602) 926-5051
sborrelli@azleg.gov
Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales
(602) 926-3278
sgonzales@azleg.gov
Sen. Theresa Hatathlie
(602) 926-5160
thatathlie@azleg.gov
Sen. J.D. Mesnard
(602) 926-4481
jmesnard@azleg.gov
Sen. Martin Quezada
(602) 926-5911
mquezada@azleg.gov
Sen. Wendy Rogers
(602) 926-3042
wrogers@azleg.gov
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in Arizona impacting dog owners and will provide information as it is available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.