The California legislative session is in full swing and AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) continues to track many bills of interest to dog owners. In addition, we will continue to watch for any amendments or other actions that could affect responsible dog ownership.
The following are current statuses of bills that AKC GR is following, but no action is needed at this time. As always, specific information on hearings, etc. will be provided as they become available:
Assembly Bill 2425 – Bowie’s Law: animals: adoption, shelter overcrowding, and breeding.
Summary: This bill calls for a comprehensive study to be conducted on animal shelter issues, addresses animal shelter operating procedures, clarifies microchipping and vaccine rules for dog breeders AND changes the definition of a dog breeder from someone who transfers either 3 litters or 20 dogs to 2 litters or 10 dogs. Although this bill is unlikely to advance, AKC continues to oppose any proposal lowering the threshold for dog breeders being regulated by the state. Read AKC’s previous alert for more information on AB 2425.
Assembly Bill 2012 – Rabies control data.
Status: Unanimously passed out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill would require animal shelters in cities and counties to report various rabies control program data to the state. This restores the protocol that lapsed during the Brown administration and will provide a uniform and objective set of data when evaluating the conditions of animal shelters. AKC supports this legislation.
Senate Bill 922 – Animal Cruelty
Status: Bill will not advance this session.
Summary: This bill would have enhanced the fines for leaving an animal in an unattended vehicle during dangerous weather conditions, including hot weather. AKC provided some suggested amendments; however, the bill will not move forward this year. AKC will continue to monitor any related bills.
Assembly Bill 2216 – Tenancy: common household pets
Status: Passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee; awaiting consideration from the full Assembly.
Summary: This bill currently seeks to ban “pet rent”, forbid pet specific security deposits, and require most landlords to allow tenants with pets in rental housing. Additional amendments are likely, and AKC continues to monitor this proposal and has been in contact with the author’s office.
Assembly Bill 2248 – Contracts: sales of dogs and cats.
Status: Passed out of the Assembly unanimously. Awaiting consideration in the Senate.
Summary: This bill states that a contract to transfer ownership of a dog or cat is void if all of the following are satisfied:
- The buyer is in California.
- The contract requires a nonrefundable deposit.
- The contract does not identify the original source of the dog or cat, including, but not limited to, the breeder.
AKC continues to monitor this proposal.
Assembly Bill 2042 – Law enforcement: police canines.
Status: Passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill is an updated version of AB 742 from 2023 and would direct the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to regulate the use of police canines for the purpose of arrest, apprehension, or any form of crowd control. AKC continues to monitor this proposal.
Assembly Bill 3241 – Law enforcement: police canines.
Status: Unanimously passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill would increase data reporting requirements for police departments concerning the use of police canines and direct the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to develop new training standards and deployment guidelines. AKC continues to monitor the bill.
Assembly Bill 2265 – Animals: euthanasia.
Status: Passed out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill seeks to put restrictions and new regulations on animal shelters from performing euthanasia on certain categories of animals held. AKC is monitoring the bill.
Senate Bill 921 – Animal Welfare
Status: Unanimously passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee; referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This proposal updates animal cruelty law to include abuse of animals not owned by a potential abuser, in specific circumstances. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Assembly Bill 1988 – Stray animals: Availability for adoption or release.
Status: Unanimously passed out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill would allow animal shelters to immediately adopt out puppies and kittens in the narrow instance of owner surrenders. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Assembly Bill 2133 – Veterinary medicine: registered veterinary technicians.
Status: Passed out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee; referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Summary: This bill would authorize a registered veterinarian technician to perform neuter surgery on a male domestic cat under the direct supervision of a California-licensed veterinarian. As introduced, this would not apply to dogs. AKC is monitoring this bill.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in California impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.