On Tuesday, April 27, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee will consider Assembly Bill 702.
It is crucial that all dog owners, breeders, and club members in the state contact the committee TODAY and ask them to OPPOSE Assembly Bill 702. Let them know how this would impact you as a California resident (scroll down for talking points and contact information).
Summary and Talking Points:
As stated in a previous alert, this bill as currently written creates an unfunded mandate requiring local jurisdictions in California to issue a breeder permit to anyone who owns an intact dog “for the purposes of breeding”.
When contacting the committee, consider the following talking points:
- AB 702 attempts to “fix” a problem that doesn’t exist – According to supporters, this will address the supposed shelter overpopulation issues in the state – but this is not true. In fact, animal shelter populations in California have been steadily decreasing over the last decade. For example, in Los Angeles County alone, shelter populations declined by more than 19,000 from 2014 to 2020, according to the NAIA Shelter Statistics project (Visit naiaonline.org for more information).
- AB 702 requires a business license that may be impossible to obtain – This bill would require a business license. Hobby breeding is traditionally done in residential areas – and getting a business license may put them out of compliance with HOA and zoning codes.
- AB 702 creates an unfunded mandate without solving any problems – This bill will be extremely difficult for communities to enforce and provides no funding. This creates an impossible situation for California cities and towns – many of which are already dealing with budget crises.
AB 702 will divert scarce resources from enforcement of serious animal issues such as true animal cruelty and do nothing to improve animal law enforcement. Responsible, law-abiding breeders will be harmed by the measure, while irresponsible individuals already in violation of the laws are unlikely to comply with the new law.
- AB 702 is unclear and many requirements are ambiguous – The bill outlines numerous new requirements for breeders and co-owners, many of which are unclear or may not be in the best interest of dogs. In addition, it allows individual jurisdictions to create additional requirements. This again will prove very difficult to enforce, not solve any real or perceived issues, and may harm animals. Read AKC’s previous alert for more details on specific requirements.
- Consumer protection is a better solution to holding sellers accountable – Current law that provides consumer protection provisions for all those who sell all or part of 3 or more litters should be considered and examined before expanding law to breeder permits. View AKC’s key issue page at org/consumer protection for more information and model legislation with fair, reasonable regulations that hold all sellers accountable.
View AKC’s previous alert for additional information and talking points on Assembly Bill 702.
California Residents: Contact Committee members TODAY:
AKC continues to work with the Assembly and numerous stakeholders in opposition to this bill. However, we are sure committee members are hearing from a lot of bill supporters. They need to hear from you – Californians who will be directly impacted by this bill – before the April 27 hearing:
Submit written comments on Assembly Bill 702: Visit https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/ and follow the simple steps to create an account. Once an account is created, you can upload a letter from you or your club that will be made publicly available to members. Use the talking points above. Consider personalizing your note with your own experiences and insight.
Contact each member of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and ask them to oppose AB 702 as introduced:
Evan Low, Chair (Dist. 28)
(916) 319-2028
assemblymember.low@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Heath Flora, Vice Chair (Dist. 12)
(916) 319-2012
assemblymember.flora@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Dr. Joaquin Arambula (Dist. 31)
(916) 319-2031
assemblymember.arambula@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Marc Berman (Dist. 24)
(916) 319-2024
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Richard Bloom (Dist. 50)
(916) 319-2050
assemblymember.bloom@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Phillip Chen (Dist. 55)
(916) 319-2055
assemblymember.chen@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
David Chiu (Dist. 17)
(916) 319-2017
assemblymember.chiu@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jordan Cunningham (Dist. 35)
(916) 319-2035
assemblymember.cunningham@assembly.ca.gov
Email Form
Megan Dahle (Dist. 1)
(916) 319-2001
assemblymember.dahle@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Vince Fong (Dist. 34)
(916) 319-2034
assemblymember.fong@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Mike A. Gipson (Dist. 64)
(916) 319-2064
assemblymember.gipson@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Timothy S. Grayson (Dist. 14)
(916) 319-2014
assemblymember.grayson@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Chris R. Holden (Dist. 41)
(916) 319-2041
assemblymember.holden@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jacqui Irwin (Dist. 44)
(916) 319-2044
assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Kevin McCarty (Dist. 7)
(916) 319-2007
assemblymember.mccarty@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jose Medina (Dist. 61)
(916) 319-2061
assemblymember.medina@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Kevin Mullin (Dist. 22)
(916) 319-2022
assemblymember.mullin@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Rudy Salas, Jr. (Dist. 32)
(916) 319-2032
assemblymember.salas@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Philip Y. Ting (Dist. 19)
(916) 319-2019
assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
AKC continues to work with the Assembly and other stakeholders to address concerns and will provide updates as they are available. For questions, contact AKC Government Relations at www.akcgr.org.