Legislative Alerts

At its upcoming hybrid public hearing at 11AM on Monday, May 15, 2023, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Agriculture will consider multiple animal-related bills, with three bills specifically impacting dogs.   The full agenda with links to bill text can be viewed here. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all concerned Massachusetts residents to contact the […]

The Texas House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 2238 tomorrow, Wednesday May 10. The bill will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and is engaged in the business of breeding those dogs for sale to secure a state license. AKC expects HB 2238 and its Senate companion, SB […]

The first year of Georgia’s two-year legislative session ended with several bills carrying over to 2024. The American Kennel Club Government Relations team (AKC GR) thanks the Georgia Canine Coalition, AKC club members, and every individual who contacted lawmakers and spread the word to fellow owners about bills that affect dogs. Among the 2023-2024 bills […]

The Delaware House Health and Human Development Committee approved bills seeking to regulate barking dogs and granting immunity for animal cruelty reporting after a recent hearing.  Delaware residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State Representatives (see below for more information). House Bill 124 – Regulating Barking Dogs House Bill 124 would prohibit dogs from […]

The Idaho Legislature concluded its 2023 legislative session on April 6th. AKC actively monitored a few bills this session; however, there was not any substantial action on legislation that would impact dog owners. While the session is adjourned, we are seeing many local governments across the country considering proposals that would impact dog owners in […]

The New York Senate is expected to vote soon on a ban on “debarking” – a veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. New York residents are strongly encouraged to contact your State Senator and express your concerns with Senate […]

On Wednesday, April 26, the Assembly Appropriations Committee referred Assembly Bill 742 (limiting the use of police canines) to the committee’s “Suspense File”. For context, the Suspense File is part of the legislative process for bills that have a significant fiscal impact on the state. This action was expected by AKC. A decision by the […]

This Wednesday, May 3, the Delaware House Health and Human Development Committee will be considering bills seeking to regulate barking dogs and granting immunity for animal cruelty reporting. Delaware residents are encouraged to contact the committee and express your concerns with House Bill 124 regulating barking dogs and express comments and concerns you may have […]

This week, the Delaware House of Representatives approved a bill to name rescue(d) dogs as the official state dog. Senate Bill 37  passed the House of Representatives and designates rescue dogs as the official state dog.  The bill now goes to Governor John Carney for his signature. While AKC certainly appreciate the intentions of the […]

Yesterday (4/26/23), amendments were proposed to House Bill 3682 by the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee. A copy of the amended bill was not provided by the time of this update; however, according to legislative staff, the subcommittee’s amendments to H.3682 include: The scope of a court hearing to determine if an owner is […]