With Crossover Day fast Approaching, the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee will be holding a voting session tomorrow, March 12, 2026, on a number of bills heard by the Committee including HB 1551. Among the provisions of the bill is a required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped. The costs would be put into account to support shelters and spay/neuter programs, along with supporting administration and enforcement of the new program.
The sponsor did add an amendment to the bill that would require shelters and rescues to account for puppies born while in their care, but it does not require them to obtain a birth certificate for those puppies.
You are encouraged to contact the committee chair, Del. Kriselda Valderrama and request that she does one of the following:
- Withhold HB 1551 from a vote
- Issue an Unfavorable Report
- Amend the bill to establish a stakeholder study group to examine all contributing factors and develop effective recommendations.
Additionally, you are encouraged to contact the individual members of the committee and ask that they issue an
Unfavorable Report or Amend the bill to establish a stakeholder study group to examine all contributing factors and develop effective recommendations.
Let them know the impact this legislation would have on small breeders, and especially you. For talking points and additional information, please see the previous alert.
For contact information Kriselda Valderrama, Chair click here.
For Committee members contact information, click on the link following their name.
Charakoudian Long, Vice Chair
AKC Government Relations and the Responsible Dog Owners of Maryland are closely monitoring legislation in Maryland impacting dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.