AKC continues to monitor several bills impacting dog owners in California. Friday, May 27, was the deadline for bills to pass the chamber where they were introduced. Below are the latest updates, along with contact information if you wish to comment on any of these measures.
AKC GR will continue to provide individual updates and alerts when necessary.
Bills Scheduled for Upcoming Hearings:
- AB 1901 – Disclosure for Dog Trainers
Status: Hearing in Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee on June 13. Also assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Summary: As previously reported, this bill was significantly amended at the request of AKC and local clubs to remove the multiple pages of requirements regulating trainers the same as boarding kennels. As passed by the Assembly, the bill simply requires certain items to disclosed to new clients, including the nature and goals of the class, any civil suits that have been brought against the trainer relating to dog training, and whether the trainer is certified. The bill currently does not require that a trainer be certified in order to teach classes. Many trainers may opt to provide their qualifications in lieu of a certification.
What You Can Do: The committee is accepting formal comments on this bill until Monday, June 6. View AKC’s previous alert for more information on the bill and how to submit comments to the committee. - AB 1781 – Shelter and Rescue Animal Transport
Status: Hearing in the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 6.
Summary: AB 1781 would regulate shelters and rescues transporting animals. It would require them to ensure that transport vehicles protect a dog’s health and safety.
How to comment: Those who wish may directly contact the committee members by clicking on their names on the committee website. The website also includes information for those who wish to testify remotely.
Status of Other Bills of Interest:
- AB 1881 – “Dog and Cat Welfare” (formerly the “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”)
Status: Passed the Assembly with AKC’s amendments, Pending Senate committee assignment
Summary: As previously reported, this bill was significantly amended in a previous committee to address AKC’s primary concerns. While it is still being referenced as the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights, the actual chapter created by the bill is now simply called “Dog and Cat Welfare”, and all references to “rights”, “guardian”, and other terms of concern have been removed. AKC is grateful to the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Animal Health Institute, and the California Animal Welfare Association for joining us in opposing the original bill and supporting AKC’s amendments.
AKC will provide additional updates once the bill has been referred to a Senate committee. - AB 2723 – Microchipping Regulations for Dogs Claimed from Shelters and Rescues
Status: Passed the Assembly, pending Senate committee assignment
Summary: AB 2723would amend current law regarding microchipping when a dog is adopted from a local shelter or rescue. As amended by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, when a shelter or rescue transfers ownership of a dog, they must provide information including microchip company information, if the dog has a current microchip number, and any other information needed so the new owner can register themselves as the primary contact on the microchip. In addition, before transferring or selling a dog, the shelter or rescue much document and keep records of all efforts made to contact the microchip’s primary contact, if the dog is microchipped.
This has been significantly amended from the original bill which, among other provisions, would have only allowed shelters to release a lost dog to the primary contact listed on the microchip. This provision has been removed at the request of local shelters.
AKC GR will provide additional information once the bill has been assigned to a Senate committee. - AB 1648 – Disaster Preparedness Plans for Kennels
Status: Passed Assembly, pending Senate committee assignment
Summary: AB 1648 would require anyone who has a city or county kennel license to also have an animal disaster preparedness plan. As passed by the Assembly, there are no specific instructions or guidelines for what should be included in this plan. AKC understands the purpose of this bill and amendments is to allow local officials to act quickly to help animals in case of a disaster situation.
Read AKC’s previous alert for more information. - SB 971 – Public Housing and Pet Ownership
Status: Passed Assembly, pending Senate committee assignment
Summary: As amended by the Senate, SB 971 requires that public housing financed by the state allow residents to own or maintain “common household pets”. A refundable deposit may be required, but landlords may not require a monthly fee to keep the animal. Considerations may be made to limit the number of animals based on the unit’s size and prohibitions on potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. The landlord may not place restrictions based on an animal’s size or weight, but may have leashing, nuisance or liability insurance requirements.
AKC GR will provide more information once the bill has been assigned to committee.
AKC Government Relations continues to closely monitor all bills with the potential to impact California dog owners and will provide updates as they are available. For questions, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.