On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who possesses more than 5 female dogs capable of reproduction).
Illinois hobbyists should register their opposition to House Bill 4778 and reach out to committee members TODAY.
Hearing: Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
Bill: House Bill 4778 (Companion to Senate Bill 2990)
(Scroll down for more information on registering your opposition and contacting the committee, and for sample talking points).
Bill Summary:
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports strong, clear, and enforceable animal welfare laws. However, HB 4778 would impose impractical, uniform structural and management requirements that fail to reflect the variety of safe, responsible ways dogs are raised in home or small kennel environments.
HB 4778 in part amends the definition of “dog dealer”, and that is the focus of many of the supporters. However, AKC’s concerns are limited to the bill’s new care and housing requirements for dog breeders.
To view AKC’s previous alert for SB 2990 please click HERE.
Take Action:
Submit a witness slip in opposition to HB 4778 before Tuesday’s hearing:
- Visit the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee page.
- Locate HB 4778 – “Animal Welfare–Dog Dealer” and click the “Witness Slips” icon.
- Complete the online form:
- Under “Position,” select Opponent.
- If not attending in person or not speaking, select Record of Appearance Only.
- Include your club’s name under “Representation” (if applicable).
- Accept the terms and click Create (Slip).
Email the members of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee at the emails listed below. Respectfully express your opposition to HB 4778 and urge members to vote no. If you are an Illinois resident that will be directly impacted by the bill, be sure to mention that in your communications.
Scroll down for suggested talking points.
Chair Sonya Harper repsonyaharper@gmail.com
Vice Chair Mary Gill repmarygill@gmail.com
Rep. Charlie Meier repcmeier@gmail.com
Rep. Amy Briel contact@staterepbriel.com
Rep. Sharon Chung info@repchung.com
Rep. Nicole Grasse contact@staterepgrasse.com
Rep. Barbara Hernandez repbarbarahernandez@gmail.com
Rep. Wayne Rosenthal Rosenthal@ilhousegop.org
Rep. Dan Swanson swanson@ilhousegop.org
Key Talking Points
- SB 2990 imposes rigid, uniform standards for primary enclosures and flooring, including a fixed space formula based only on a dog’s body length and prescriptive flooring requirements that do not recognize alternative safe housing methods for diverse dog breeds.
- These “one size fits all” structural standards are geared toward large commercial facilities and fail to account for the many safe, responsible ways dogs are housed and managed in home-based and small breeding programs. If you are a home-based breeder licensed by the state, discuss how the new standards would impact your ability to breed and raise dogs.
- The bill requires all adult dogs to have “constant, unfettered access” to an exercise area at least twice the size of their primary enclosure, which can be unsafe when dogs of different breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments are forced to share the same space. It conflicts with responsible practices that separate dogs by size, sex, age, compatibility, or health and that rely on supervised or rotated exercise, multiple runs, and individualized management to best protect dog welfare.
- It requires primary enclosures to be no lower than 45 degrees F, or higher than 85 degrees, unless recommended by a veterinarian for “a specific, documents medical purpose.” This does not account for the needs of individual dogs, or breeds that may not be best suited for temperatures permitted in the bill.
AKC Government Relations will continue to closely monitor this bill and all legislation impacting dog owners in Illinois. For questions, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.