Legislative Alerts

On April 12 and April 26, the New Hampshire House Environment and Agriculture Committee (Committee) accepted oral testimony on SB 368, as amended, regarding pet vendor license penalties.  At the hearings, both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) expressed significant concerns with the version […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to report that amended Connecticut House Bill 5295 was passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, April 27.  Among other provisions, the bill would require the Department of Agriculture to convene a working group to help develop a plan to create a state-wide online dog licensing portal.  […]

California Assembly Bill 1881 has officially been amended by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee to remove the word “rights”.  The bill now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. While AKC did not get every amendment we requested, we are grateful to the author for agreeing to this compromise and addressing our primary and most […]

The California Assembly is expected to soon vote on a bill for dog trainers that has been significantly amended to address AKC’s primary concerns. Those who wish to contact their Assemblyperson regarding Assembly Bill 1901 may do so by typing your address on the State Assembly’s “Find Your California Representative” page. Summary: Originally, Assembly Bill […]

Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Health and Human Services Committee favorably released an amended H.7021, which would allow emergency care and transportation for a police dog injured in the line of duty.  Changes to the bill ensure all stakeholders are included in the development of policies and procedures for the humane transportation of these special […]

Maine residents, your voice has been heard!  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Maine Federation of Dog Clubs are pleased that amended LD 1885 has been passed and will now go to Governor’s Mills’ desk for consideration.  Thank you for your advocacy, and to Representative Jessica Fay for sponsoring the bill! Prior to passage, […]

The author of California AB 1881 (the “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”) has agreed to remove the word “rights”, along with other substantive amendments from the text of Assembly Bill 1881 and will be verbally stating this in the public hearing tomorrow. This amendment comes after significant concerns were expressed by the American Kennel […]

AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as soon as possible on S. 2443.  The bill authorizes forfeiture of animals to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) for failure to pay the cost of care for seized animals upon a finding of animal cruelty.  […]

Yesterday, new amendments for California AB 1881 (The “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”) were posted, but AKC’s main concern still remains. California residents are encouraged to continue contacting members of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee this week and let them know that you oppose AB 1881 before the hearing on April 26. Summary: […]

The Oklahoma House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee recently amended and passed Senate Bill 1223. While the bill still includes language establishing a misdemeanor for misrepresenting a service animal the amended bill now also includes several unrelated changes to criminal law including amendments that reduce charges for existing crimes from felony punishments to misdemeanors. AKC […]