As mentioned in a previous alert, California Assembly Bill 1901 would regulate all dog trainers in the state as boarding kennels – regardless of the type of training class or the length of the class.
The bill defines dog training very broadly and must be assumed to encompass every type of training, including drop-in classes, public and private training, Canine Good Citizen classes, obedience training, handling classes, performance and sporting training, or any dog training in the state for which the instructor/trainer may receive any type of compensation.
We thank everyone who has been taking the time to reach out to the author’s office. It is also essential that the Assembly Business and Professions Committee hear from you.
Please upload letters to the online committee portal by April 12 to ensure they are included in the official committee analysis. Scroll down for details on how to contact the committee.
Talking Points:
This bill establishes one-size fits-all requirements for all types of dog training, and seems to assume that all dog training involves overnight boarding and/or takes place in designated training facilities. When writing the committee, consider the following talking points:
- Explain that training classes do not always include overnight boarding in a facility. Classes take place throughout the state at community centers, public parks, and local dog clubs – just to name a few.
- Explain that there are many different types of training classes and they last for varying lengths of time (some are weekly or a couple times a week for 30 minutes, one hour, etc.). Training can be for basic obedience, service or therapy dogs, participation in AKC events, etc. The regulations in AB 1901 are not appropriate for every type of training and class.
- Express your concern that the vague and extensive requirements in AB 1901 will be virtually impossible for many dog trainers to comply with. If AB 901 passes, it will likely result in fewer dog training classes in the state, which in turn creates potential public safety concerns.
- If you are a dog trainer, provide details of your experience and your classes. How long have you been a trainer? What are the nature of your classes and what type of facility is used? How do you ensure the safety of dogs in your class?
Take the following actions TODAY:
1) Upload a letter to the committee portal by April 12: Use this link and follow the instructions to create a login account and to submit written comments to the committee.
2) Contact the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee. Please consider calling and emailing. If you are a constituent or hold training classes in their district, be sure to mention that when calling:
Marc Berman, Chair (Dist. 24- Palo Alto)
Sacramento Office:(916) 319-2024
Palo Alto Office: (650) 324-0224
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Heath Flora, Vice Chair (Dist. 12- San Joaquin County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2012
Ripon Office: 209-599-2112
assemblymember.flora@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
3) Contact the members of the committee. If you are a constituent or hold training classes in their district, be sure to mention that when contacting them. Please consider calling and emailing them.
Richard Bloom (Dist. 50- Santa Monica)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2050
Santa Monica Office: (310) 450-0041
assemblymember.bloom@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Mia Bonta (Dist. 18- Oakland)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2018
Oakland Office: (510) 286-1670
assemblymember.bonta@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Phillip Chen (Dist. 55- Brea)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2055
Brea Office: 714-529-5502
assemblymember.chen@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jordan Cunningham (Dist. 35- San Luis Obispo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2035
San Luis Obispo Office: (805) 549-3381
assemblymember.cunningham@assembly.ca.gov
Email Form
Megan Dahle (Dist. 1- Redding, Nevada City)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2001
Redding Office: 530-223-6300
Nevada City Office: 530-265-0701
assemblymember.dahle@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Vince Fong (Dist. 34- Kern County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2034
Bakersfield Office: 661-395-2995
assemblymember.fong@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Mike A. Gipson (Dist. 64 – Compton, Gardena)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2064
Gardena Office: (310) 324-6408
assemblymember.gipson@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Timothy S. Grayson (Dist. 14- Concord, Vallejo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2014
Concord Office: (925) 521-1511
Vallejo Office: (707) 642-0314
assemblymember.grayson@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jacqui Irwin (Dist. 44 – Thousand Oaks)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2044
assemblymember.irwin@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Alex Lee (Dist. 25- Milpitas)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2025
Milpitas Office: (408) 262-2501
assemblymember.lee@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Kevin McCarty (Dist. 7- Sacramento)
Capitol Office: (916) 319-2007
Sacramento District Office: (916) 324-4676
assemblymember.mccarty@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Jose Medina (Dist. 61 – Riverside)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2061
Riverside Office: (951) 369-6644
assemblymember.medina@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Kevin Mullin (Dist. 22 – San Mateo)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2022
San Mateo Office: (650) 349-2200
assemblymember.mullin@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Rudy Salas, Jr. (Dist. 32 – Kern, Kings County)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2032
Bakersfield Office: (661) 335-0302
Hanford Office: (559) 585-7170
assemblymember.salas@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Philip Y. Ting (Dist. 19 – San Francisco)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2019
San Francisco Office: (415) 557-2312
assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
Akilah Weber, M.D. (Dist. 79 – San Diego)
Sacramento Office: (916) 319-2079
San Diego Office: (619) 531-7913
assemblymember.weber@assembly.ca.gov
Contact Form
AKC Government Relations continues to closely monitor all bills impacting dog owners in California and will provide updates as they are available. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.