New Bill Information:
HB 1875/SB 1767, as introduced, seek to expand the definition of “racketeering activity” to include committing, conspiring to commit, aiding, attempting to aid, soliciting, coercing, facilitating, or intimidating another person to commit the offense of animal fighting. SB 1767 is on the calendar of the Senate Judiciary Committee. AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is closely monitoring this legislation.
Updated Bill Information:
HB 1635/SB 1595 seek to prohibit emotional support animals that are not trained or being trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability from being brought into indoor areas of food service establishments. AKC GR contacted staff for the bill sponsors and inquired if this legislation could be interpreted to disallow the operation of concession stands inside facilities that host animal events. Staff indicated that operation of concession stands at these events would not be negatively affected. Upon receipt of those responses, AKC supports these bills. SB 1595 passed in the Senate. HB 1635 passed in the House Committee on Health and is referred to the House Calendar and Rules Committee.
HB 1908/SB 1867, the Beyond Ordinary Learning Opportunities (BOLO) Act, would require the Department of Education to establish a one-year pilot program to place a therapy dog in five public schools in the 2024-2025 school year. AKC supports these bills and thanks Rep. Gino Bulso and Sen. Joey Hensley for sponsoring this legislation that recognizes the good work of Bolo, a Lagotto Romagnolo, and cites the value of a “calm, obedient canine that is trained to provide support, comfort, and companionship to people in educational, health, and therapeutic settings.” HB 1908 is referred to the House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee, where it has been placed behind the budget.
HB 2079/SB 1957 seek to establish a process for a licensed veterinarian to report suspected animal cruelty and to testify in a judicial or administrative proceeding concerning the care of the animal without being subject to criminal or civil liability. The bills specify that the veterinary will be acting in a professional capacity and in a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and have reasonable cause to believe that an animal has been subjected to animal cruelty in violation of Tennessee state laws § 39-14-202, § 39-14-214, or § 39-14-217. HB 2079 passed in House committees and is on the House Consent Calendar for 2/26/27. SB 1957 passed in Senate committees and has been referred to the Senate Calendar Committee. AKC GR is monitoring this legislation.
HB 2266/SB 2030 seek to amend state laws governing rental housing and leases to establish that “reliable documentation” regarding need for a support animal does not include documentation provided through a website, the primary function of which is to provide a certificate, registration, license, or similar document for a service animal or support animal for a fee. HB 2266 passed in the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee and has been placed on the calendar of the House Commerce Committee for 2/27/24. AKC strongly condemns characterizing dogs as service animals when they are not, or attempting to benefit from a dog’s service dog status when the individual using the dog is not a person with a disability. AKC GR is monitoring this legislation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Tennessee dog owners who wish to comment on any of these bills are urged to contact members of the subcommittee or committee that will consider each bill prior to their meeting dates. Click on the committee links above for contact information.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact AKC Government Relations at pvs@akc.org.