Florida Update: Bad Bills Fail, Positive Bills Continue to Advance
Florida dog owners breathed sighs of relief when the hard-fought 2023 Florida legislative session adjourned on Friday, May 5th. Several problematic bills did not advance, while positive bills passed in the state legislature and await action by the Governor. Possibly the most egregious state-level dog breeder bills (HB 1581/SB 1492) filed in the U.S. to […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/florida-update-bad-bills-fail-positive-bills-continue-advance/
| May 9, 2023
Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on Agriculture To Consider Dog-Related Bills Next Week
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/massachusetts-joint-committee-agriculture-consider-dog-related-bills-next-week/
| May 9, 2023
Texas Urgent Alert: Final Vote Expected Tomorrow on Bill Regulating Hobbyists
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/texas-urgent-alert-final-vote-expected-tomorrow-bill-regulating-hobbyists/
| May 9, 2023
Georgia Session Wrap Up: Canine Legislation Enacted in 2023, Several Bills Carry Over to 2024
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/georgia-session-wrap-canine-legislation-enacted-2023-several-bills-carry-2024/
| May 8, 2023
Delaware Update: Committee Approves Bills Regulating Barking Dogs and Animal Abuse Reporting
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/delaware-update-committee-approves-bills-regulating-barking-dogs-animal-abuse-reporting/
| May 8, 2023
Idaho Adjourns 2023 Legislative Session
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/idaho-adjourns-2023-legislative-session/
| May 8, 2023
New York: Ask Senate to Oppose Debarking Ban
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/new-york-ask-senate-oppose-debarking-ban/
| May 3, 2023
California Update: Bill Limiting Use of Police Canines Remains Pending in Committee
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/california-update-bill-limiting-use-police-canines-remains-pending-committee/
| May 2, 2023
Delaware: Committee Considering Barking Dogs and Animal Abuse Reporting on Wednesday (5/3)
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/delaware-committee-considering-barking-dogs-animal-abuse-reporting-wednesday-5-3/
| May 1, 2023
Delaware Update: Bill Naming Rescue Dogs as State Dog Goes to Governor
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 […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/delaware-update-bill-naming-rescue-dogs-state-dog-goes-governor/
| April 28, 2023