Legislative Alerts

House Bill 1883, the Working Animal Protection Act, seeks to protect use of working animals in human service and animal enterprise.  HB 1883 has passed in House committee, and will next be voted on by the full House.  A House vote could be held as early as Monday, April 19, 2021. Owners, handlers, and exhibitors […]

This week, two dog-related bills were placed on the calendar for action by the Connecticut House and Senate as follows: House: HB 6504, regarding animal welfare, has already been reported favorably by Joint Environment Committee.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports HB 6504 because it would: Require a veterinary examination of animals brought into the […]

The Illinois Legislature returned from Spring Break and immediately continued work on bills impacting dog owners and breeders in the state.  AKC and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs are working hard to advocate for responsible purebred dog owners. We urge dog owners, Illinois dog clubs and breeders to join us in working to protect […]

Starting at 1pm on Monday, April 19, 2021, three animal bills that have favorably passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives will be considered by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly encourages those who reside in New Hampshire to contact the committee right away to express support. […]

Senate Bill 353, which seeks to exempt gross proceeds from the sale or lease of detection dogs from rental, sales, and use taxes in Alabama, has been reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax Education. SB 353 defines a detection dog as a dog trained to use its senses to detect substances […]

Recently, the West Virginia General Assembly adjourned its 2021 session.  While very few bills relating to dogs and dog owners got much traction, AKC Government Relations did monitor a few bills of note. Those bills monitored by AKC Government Relations included: House Bill 2095 was comprehensive legislation seeking to enhance West Virginia’s animal welfare laws […]

Yesterday, the Connecticut House of Representatives sent an amended version of HB 6318 to the Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.  The bill, which has already been favorably released by the Joint Human Services Committee, would: Provide public employees with paid leave for up to 20 days to train with a newly-acquired service animal, […]

House Bill 551 seeks to establish requirements and restrictions for tethering a dog. As introduced, HB 551 includes certain problematic provisions. The bill’s sponsor has indicated willingness to amend the bill to address concerns while maintaining sections that provide protections for dogs. HB 551 is on the agenda of the House Committee on Agriculture and […]

On April 27, the California Assembly Business and Professions Committee will consider Assembly Bill 702 – a bill that would mandate licensing for all breeders as commercial enterprises and create many new vague, unnecessary, and arbitrary regulations that could be difficult for hobby breeders – especially those who live in residential areas – to meet. […]

Four dog-related bills will be considered by Texas legislative committees this week.  Information on each bill and legislator contact information is available, below.  Texas residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on these bills with committee members. On Tuesday, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee is set to consider SB 474, which would amend the state’s […]