Legislative Alerts

Supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Vermont Federation of Dog Clubs (VT Federation), House Bill 421 was signed into law by Governor Scott on May 20, 2021.  The new law becomes effective on July 1, 2021. In summary, HB 421 (1) narrows the list of individuals authorized as “humane officers” who investigate […]

An online petition launched by the Hawaiian Agility Association, an AKC-licensed club, seeks to urge Mayor Rick Blangiardi to restart issuing permits for dog training activities in Oahu’s public parks. As we are all aware, COVID-19 shut down most public accommodations, including public parks.  However, as vaccination rates have increased and infection rates have decreased, […]

The following list provides information on COVID-19 shelter in place/closure orders with respect to rules impacting access to pet care, supplies, and services. Please visit AKC legislative alerts  (www.akcgr.org) to view some of the actions we’ve taken and to learn what you can do to help. COVID-19 Directives by State Alabama - https://governor.alabama.gov/assets/2020/09/Safer-at-Home-Order-Final-9.29.2020.pdf Alaska - https://covid19.alaska.gov/reopen/ […]

Good news!  The voices of responsible dog owners were heard in Montgomery. Yesterday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 235, which authorizes food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so. The new law takes effect on August 1, 2021. Read AKC Government Relations’ […]

The Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee will likely consider a bill next week that would limit pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from shelters and rescues that have no affiliation with breeders. House Bill 1711 is virtually identical to a bill considered and defeated earlier this year by the Senate Agriculture Committee.  However, the […]

Yesterday, the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee approved an amended version of House Bill 1818.  As previously reported, this committee substitute is supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other animal interest organizations as a reasonable alternative to the severe impact earlier versions of the bill would have had on both the type […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) continues to work in opposition to Senate Bill 534 and Senate Bill 601, which seek to create court- appointed legal advocates for animals. The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee considered both bills at its May 6, 2021, hearing.  AKC thanks the many concerned residents who responded to our May 3, […]

The New York Senate continues to advance a bill that would allow a person to receive damages for mental distress or emotional harm caused by the injury or death of a companion animal. AKC opposes this bill.  Allowing non-economic damages for pets calls into question the legal status of pets as property. The legal concept […]

Today, the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee adopted a substitute to House Bill 1818. Originally and as passed by the Texas House, HB 1818 would have limited the sources of dogs and cats sold by certain Texas pet stores to only those sourced from animal control agencies, animal shelters, and animal rescue organizations.  The […]

The Massachusetts Senate is scheduled to begin debating its fiscal priorities in SB 3, its version of the budget bill, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.  In an effort to further support the use of police K-9s in the Commonwealth, Senator Mark Montigny has filed Amendment #580, the text from “Nero’s Law”, as an amendment to […]