The Maryland bill which required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped is highly unlikely to advance this session. Thanks to the many club members and breeders joining AKC in making your voice heard, the House Economic Matters Committee held House Bill 1551 and did not advance it prior to the House voting deadline.
Club members and breeders are encouraged to do the following:
- Thank Chairwoman Kriselda Valderrama for withholding HB 1551 from a committee vote.
valderrama@house.maryland.gov - Contact the members of the House Economic Matters Committee. Thank them for the many thoughtful questions they asked in the hearing and for taking the time to educate themselves on the potential impacts of the legislation on responsible Maryland breeders.
To contact members of the Economic Matters Committee, click here and then on “Membership” to get the names and contact information for each committee member.
- Contact bill sponsor Delegate Ric Metzgar. Respectfully explain to him how this bill would impact now and in the future. To contact Delegate Ric Metzgar, click here.
AKC Government Relations and the Responsible Dog Owners of Maryland are monitoring legislation in Maryland impacting dog owners. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org