Legislative Alerts

Alabama Senate Bill 361, which addresses the tethering and confinement of dogs, has advanced in the legislative process. The bill was read for the second time and placed on the Senate calendar on March 19, 2026. S. 361 was previously referred to the Senate Committee on State Governmental Affairs. In Alabama, a bill being “read […]

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 […]

As the 2026 Florida Legislative Session concludes its policy calendar, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Government Relations team is pleased to provide a final update on key legislative outcomes impacting dog owners, breeders, and the broader purebred community across the state. While the Legislature will reconvene budget negotiations, all substantive policy matters of relevance to […]

Delaware: Senate Committee to Consider Bill Banning Pet Sales on Wednesday On Wednesday, March 25, the Delaware Senate Health & Social Services Committee will consider legislation prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores. The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes HB 131 and encourages all concerned Delaware residents to share their opposition […]

A Hawaii joint Senate committee is holding votes on Tuesday and Wednesday for HB 1736—addressing Hawaii’s feral cat overpopulation crisis that does not (currently) include dogs. However, proposed amendments expand the bill’s mandatory sterilization requirements to include dogs brought into Hawaii. Dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the joint committee and urge members to […]

On Wednesday, April 9, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance (File No. 251162) that would institute mandatory spay/neuter for nearly all dogs in San Francisco. It also would add the word “guardian” to law – potentially changing the legal status of […]

A Colorado Senate committee is considering a bill on Tuesday (March 24) that restricts consumer choice and some sales, and makes false claims about breeders and pet stores. Colorado residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Senate State, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee before the hearing on Tuesday.  Ask them to oppose House Bill 26-1011 […]

On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who […]

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced that it is extending the period for comments about potential updates to its dog welfare regulations.  The original comment period was to end today, Thursday, March 19th.  The comment period will now end on Thursday, April 20, 2026. APHIS […]

Minnesota Senate File 1943, which seeks to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs and cats, is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Friday, March 20, 2026.  Pet shops that have been open for at least one year would be grandfathered.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes SF 1943 […]