On Friday, May 2, the Florida Legislature extended its 2025 regular legislative session until Friday, June 6, 2025, to further consider bills related to the state budget. The resolution extending the session explicitly lists 16 budget bills that shall be further considered before June 6th. It also states, “all other measures in both houses are indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration of the respective house as of 12:00 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2025.” Postponed and withdrawn bills include SB 1830 and HB 1481 and accompanying appropriations bills that sought to license and regulate every Floridian with one intact female dog.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) commends its Florida federation, the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC), and the many club members, breeders, and owners who urged legislators to oppose SB 1830 and HB 1481.
OTHER DOG-RELATED BILLS IN THE 2025 FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
AKC Position: Support
- HB 1053 / SB 1268 – Increases funding for retired police dogs’ care to $5,000 per dog. Status, HB 1053: To Governor DeSantis.
- SB 1732 – Creates a new third-degree felony crime for adults who cause or entice monitors to commit acts of animal cruelty. Status: Amended, left pending in committee.
- HB 603 / SB 688 – To create a grant program to fund support dogs for first responders. Status: Left pending in committee.
- SB 844 – To expand the definition of domestic violence; in part, ensures protection of animals in domestic violence proceedings. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
AKC Position: Monitor
- HB 255 / SB 494 – “Dexter’s Law”, adds a sentencing multiplier for 1.25 for offenses involving aggravated animal cruelty, mandates the Dept. of Law Enforcement to create a list of those convicted of animal cruelty. Status, HB 255: To Governor DeSantis.
- HB 593 / SB 572 – “Pam Rock Act”, requires dog owners to securely confine dogs with known dangerous propensities, requires immediate confiscation and quarantine of dogs involved in severe attacks on humans. Status: To Governor DeSantis.
- HB 205 / SB 150 – “Trooper’s Law”, creates felony criminal penalties for restraining a dog outside during a natural disaster and abandoning it. Status, SB 150: To Governor DeSantis.
- HB 1535 / SB 180 – Updates Florida’s emergency management statutes, provides that the annual statewide emergency shelter plan must project, for the next five years, the hurricane shelter needs of the state, including information on the availability of shelters that accept pets. Status, SB 180: To Governor DeSantis.
- HB 655 / SB 1226 – Classifies pet insurance as a form of property insurance, establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs. Status, HB 665: Enacted.
- SB 210 – To establish regulations for companion animal cremation services. Status: Left pending in committee.
AKC Position: Oppose as Introduced
- SB 1830 / HB 1481 – Regulate anyone who possesses one intact female dog as a dog breeder. See alert. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
- SB 1832 / HB 1583 – To establish fees for dog breeders, up to $500 annually. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
- SB 1834 / HB 1585 – Establishes the Dog Breeders Trust Fund to provide financial resources for the implementation and enforcement of regulations related to dog breeding. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
- SB 534 – To create penalties for confining animals in dangerous conditions in vehicles. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
- HB 455 – To create an online database of animal cruelty violators. Status: Assigned to committee, no hearing.
WHAT’S NEXT
AKC’s Government Relations Department will continue to monitor the remainder of Florida’s 2025 regular legislative session, to ensure anti-breeder legislation is not added into any of the appropriations bills that remain under consideration.
For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org, or AKC’s Florida federation, the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs at fakc.seltrecht.president@gmail.com.