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 2626 – Requiring Shelters to Scan for Microchips
Status: Passed committee, waiting consideration by full Senate
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. The bill also requires veterinarians to thoroughly scan for a microchip when a stray animal is brought into their clinic. This bill will help reunite lost dogs more quickly with their owners.
Action Needed: Contact your Arizona State Senator and ask them to support this bill that will help reunite owners with their lost pets. 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 Senator.
House Bill 2323 – Banning Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance Dog Breed Discrimination
Status: Scheduled for hearing in Senate Appropriations on Tuesday, March 29.
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 the Senate Appropriations Committee prior to Tuesday’s hearing and ask them to support House Bill 2323. The contact information is below. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Sen. David Gowan, Chair (Dist. 14- Sierra Vista)
Phone: 602-926-5154
Email: dgowan@azleg.gov
Vince Leach, Vice Chair (Dist. 11- SaddleBrooke)
Phone: 602-926-3106
Email: dlivingston@azleg.gov
Lela Alston (Dist. 24- Phoenix)
Phone: 602-926-5829
Email: lalston@azleg.gov
Sonny Borrelli (Dist. 5- Lake Havasu City)
Phone: 602-926-5051
Email: sborrelli@azleg.gov
Sean Bowie (Dist. 18 – Ahwatukee/Mesa/Chandler)
Phone: 602-926-3004
Email: sbowie@azleg.gov
Sine Kerr (Dist. 13- Buckeye)
Phone: 602-926-5955
Email: skerr@azleg.gov
David Livingston (Dist. 22- Peoria)
Phone: 602-926-4178
Email: dlivingston@azleg.gov
Lisa Otondo (Dist. 4- Yuma)
Phone: 602-926-3002
Email: lotondo@azleg.gov
Raquel Teran (Dist. 30 – Glendale/W. Phoenix)
Phone: 602-926-3308
Email: rteran@azleg.gov
Kelly Townsend (Dist. 16- Mesa)
Phone: 602-926-4467
Email: ktownsend@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.