Legislative Alerts

The Oklahoma Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee is considering a bill on Monday, February 8, to remove the commercial breeder reporting requirements. Under current law, “commercial breeders” are defined as those who possess “11 or more intact females for the purpose of breeding…. or direct or indirect sale or exchange…” Those who meet this definition […]

Today, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) announced the final adoption of amendments to the state’s rules for its Licensed Breeders Program.  The changes were required by Senate Bill 1531, which was enacted in 2019 and added pleas of “no contest” to animal cruelty charges as a ground for denying or refusing to […]

The mayor and city council of Maysville, GA, will hold meetings to hear public comments on a proposed animal ordinance that would apply to the sections of the City of Maysville that lie within Banks County. The first meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., prior to the city council meeting.  Additional […]

Tomorrow, February 3, the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing on House Bill 508, which provides certain liability protections when there has been exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Those AKC clubs with concerns about the ability to conduct events while under a higher potential exposure to liability actions associated with COVID-19 may […]

The Wyoming Senate continues to consider how to address the issue of animals being seized, and the payment of their care during impoundment. Both Senate Bills 24 and 25 would require those whose animals are seized on suspicion of cruelty to pay a bond to cover the costs of care while the animals are impounded. […]

As mentioned in a previous alert, the Virginia House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (ACNR) Agriculture Sub-Committee was considering a substitute version of HB 2109 which originally sought to expand the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services by adding an at-large member who is expert in companion animal welfare who is employed by […]

The Missouri Agriculture Policy Committee is considering a bill on Tuesday, February 2, that would make several changes to protect dogs and the rights of dog owners when animals are seized on suspicion of neglect or abuse.  The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the accused are innocent until proven guilty, and to […]

A bill introduced in Iowa would seek to make it the 20th state to officially ban breed-specific laws and regulations. The bill would prohibit cities and counties from enacting any regulation that is specific to a breed or perceived breed.  Cities and counties may still enact laws that apply to all dogs. The AKC supports […]

On the morning of Wednesday, February 3, 2021, three animal bills will be reviewed by the New Hampshire House Committee on Environment and Agriculture.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly encourages those who reside in New Hampshire to contact the committee to express support. 9am: HB 250 would increase, from 25 to 35, the number […]

Two bills are scheduled for hearings by the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on January 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. If the bills are advanced by the subcommittee, they will be considered by the full Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday,  January 28. Dog owners with comments or concerns about the bills […]