Fourteen state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
Arizona – Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors. It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”. As introduced, the bill also included a new definition of “extreme weather”, defined by a heat advisory, certain weather warnings (such as a monsoon, dust storm, etc.), and when the temperature is below 32 degrees or over 100 degrees. Although this measure is only applied when proper bedding is required, AKC was concerned about the definition being used in the future to restrict when dogs could be outside, without consideration for the needs and abilities of specific breeds. The committee removed the specific temperatures from the definition. The bill as amended passed the Senate in February. It was further amended by the House to remove the definition of “extreme weather” in its entirety. The bill is pending final approval.
California – AB-2425 expanded requirements on animal shelters relative to animal adoption AND attempted to expand the definition of what constitutes a dog breeder in California to be anyone who transfers 2 litters or 10 dogs from the existing law of 3 litters or 20 dogs transferred. It was held in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and will not advance this year.
California – AB-2042 is the amended version of 2023’s AB 742, which attempted to limit the use of police canines for the purpose of arrest, apprehension, or any form of crowd control. This bill would direct the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to develop standards and training guidelines for the use of canines by law enforcement. AKC is working with the author’s office and impacted entities, including the US Police Canine Association. The bill has advanced out of the Assembly and is now in the Senate.
California – AB-3241 would increase data reporting requirements for police departments concerning the use of police canines AND require each law enforcement agency that utilizes canines to maintain a policy for the use of canines by the agency that, at a minimum, complies with the guidelines adopted by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training POST, and would require law enforcement agencies to establish a training regimen that includes a course certified by the commission. AKC is working with the author’s office and will continue to monitor the proposal. The bill has advanced out of the Assembly and is now in the Senate for further consideration.
California – SB 921 addressed animal cruelty concerning causing harm to animals that are not owned by a potential aggressor. Although it was voted out of the Senate Public Safety Committee, it missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year.
California – SB 922 would have increased the financial penalties for being cited for leaving an animal in an unattended car during extreme weather conditions. It also provided for counseling and education for those cited under the statute. However, it has been pulled by the bill’s author and will not advance this year.
California – AB 1988 would allow for shelters to immediately adopt out kittens and puppies to a nonprofit organization, animal rescue organization, or adoption organization if requested by the organization in the specific circumstance of owner surrenders. It has advanced out of the Assembly and is before the Senate for consideration. AKC is monitoring the bill.
California – AB 2012 would have restored the requirement that city and county animal shelters must report certain shelter statistics to the state under the rabies control program. This would create a uniform and objective set of data when evaluating the state of animal shelters in California. The proposal was voted out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, but missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year. AKC looks forward to supporting similar legislation in future sessions.
California – AB 2133 would have allowed for registered veterinary technicians to perform neuter surgeries on cats. The proposal was voted out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, but missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year.
California – AB 2216 aims to expand access to rental housing for people with pets by restricting “pet rent” and generally requiring landlords to accommodate tenants with pets. It has advanced out of the Assembly and has been transferred to the Senate for further consideration. AKC is monitoring the proposal.
California – AB 2248 would ban the sale of dogs and cats in a specific scenario where ANY of the following are satisfied: the contract requires a nonrefundable deposit or the contract does not reveal the source of the dog or cat. These conditions apply to “brokers” (resale) of dogs and cats. The bill has passed the Assembly and is in the Senate for consideration. AKC is monitoring this proposal.
Connecticut – HB 5304 would designate the Siberian Husky as the state dog and the lollipop as the state candy. After AKC’s update on how to register support with the Governor, it was signed into law on June 5. The Connecticut Valley Siberian Husky Club has offered to attend a ceremonial bill signing with their beloved dogs, if scheduled.
Delaware – HB 124 would prohibit owners from allowing dogs to bark continuously for more than 15 minutes, or intermittently for more than 30 minutes per day. After discussions with the sponsor, the bill was amended to exempt dogs engaged in any lawful activity including training, hunting, performance events, etc. AKC continues to express concerns about the likelihood of neighbor disputes, and the inability of animal control to be able to consider cases on an individual basis. Further, AKC GR has pointed out that this bill seeks a statewide solution to a local nuisance issue. HB 124 passed the House on June 18, 2024, and has been assigned to the Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee.
Florida – CS/HB 87 / CS2/SB 632, among other provisions, allow the use of lethal force against a bear when necessary to avoid an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to a person or pet, or substantial damage to a dwelling. AKC GR worked with sponsors’ staff, expressed support, and discussed this legislation with Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC) members during a strategy and advocacy meeting. HB 87 was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 21, 2024, and takes effect on July 1, 2024.
Florida – CS2/HB 273 exempts from public records requirements the identifying information about persons, firms, associations, and other groups that adopt animals, provide foster care to animals, and all “other persons receiving legal custody of animals” from an animal shelter or animal control agency. HB 273 was signed by the Governor on June 21, 2024, and took effect immediately. Read concerns with this legislation.
Florida – CS/HB 303 / HB 849 and several interrelated bills sought to authorize the practice of veterinary telehealth and/or would authorize an employee, agent, or contractor of a county or municipal animal control authority to vaccinate against rabies dogs, cats, and ferrets under certain circumstances. In 2023, AKC GR discussed previous versions of these bills with sponsors and monitored all versions of the 2024 bills throughout this year’s session. AKC GR also discussed these bills with FAKC members during a strategy and advocacy meeting. HB 303, which authorizes certain persons to administer rabies vaccinations to certain animals under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, and HB 849, which provides for the practice of veterinary telehealth, were signed by the Governor on June 21, 2024, and take effect July 1, 2024.
Hawai’i –HB 2058, which seeks to expand the state’s dangerous dog law, was passed as amended in a conference committee on May 3, 2024, the final day of the legislative session. Concerns remain that the breed-neutral bill does not clearly allow for an appeals process to prevent the sterilization of a dog deemed dangerous or to challenge the assessment of costs in cases where such amounts may be unreasonable. The bill now awaits action by Governor Green.
Hawai’i – HB 1527, which seeks to prohibit animal owners and their employees from performing any surgical procedures on the owner’s dog(s), has passed a conference committee and has been sent to Governor Green for his approval or veto. HB 1527 seeks to clarify that owners and their employees shall not perform any surgical procedure on any dog, including C-sections, ear cropping, tail docking, devocalizations, dewclaw removals, or castrations via banding. Veterinarians would still be permitted to perform the procedures listed. Additionally, the bills do not seek to prohibit owners from performing routine care procedures on their animals, including nail trimming and ear and dental cleaning.
Louisiana – HB 213 amends and reenacts the crime of negligent homicide and provides for increased penalties when a person is killed by a dog or other animal and the owner is criminally negligent. HB 213 was signed by the Governor, became Act No. 261, and takes effect on August 1, 2024
Louisiana – HB 407, among other provisions, prohibits healthcare providers from producing documentation relating to the need for a support animal unless they satisfy requirements that would include a therapeutic relationship with the individual, prohibits misrepresentation of service dogs, and limits liability for owners and lessors for damages caused by a service dog or support animal. AKC monitored HB 407 through the legislative process and supports this legislation as last amended. HB 407 was signed by the Governor, became Act. No. 558, and takes effect 8/1/24.
Louisiana – SB 476 criminalizes the use of bait dogs in training dogs for dog fighting. AKC GR proposed an amendment to clarify and strengthen the definition of “bait dog” to include any dog abused as a bait dog, regardless of its temperament. SB 476 was signed by the Governor, became Act No. 359, and takes effect August 1, 2024.
Massachusetts – In response to dog injuries and deaths at dog day care facilities, HB 2019 and SB 1309 have been re-filed as “Ollie’s Law” and would impose requirements such as staffing ratios for boarding, training, dog day care, breeding and personal kennels. They would authorize animal control officers to inspect and tell you how many dogs you are allowed to own and enforce a new “personal breeder kennel” license for anyone with more than 4 intact female dogs over 6 months who transfers any offspring. Personal breeder kennels and commercial breeder kennels would be held to the same future regulations. Details are in AKC’s alert. In April 2024, the Joint Municipalities and Regional Government Committee favorably released Senate and House companion mirror bills, HB 4564 and SB 2731, which have moved to their respective Ways and Means Committees. AKC is appreciative the committee removed the anti-breeder text from the bill. More details are here.
Massachusetts – SB 876/HB 1367 would prohibit housing authorities and certain housing agreements from discriminating against tenants based upon the size, weight or breed of dog owned. They also prohibit insurance companies from discriminating based upon dog breed. The bills were referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, which gave HB 1367 a favorable recommendation in March and is now pending in the Committee on House Ways and Means. AKC supports the bill.
Massachusetts – SB 1311 would eliminate from current law text that exempts from pet shop licensure any person selling, exchanging or otherwise transferring the offspring of their personally owned animals. After a public hearing in the Joint Municipalities and Regional Government Committee the committee requested an extension until June 14 to consider it. Read AKC’s alert. The bill was sent to study order on June 17.
Massachusetts – HB 747, HB 826, SB 549, and SB 550 would require Massachusetts licensed pet shops or future pet shops to only provide the public with dogs and cats sourced from animal shelter or rescue organizations. In AKC’s experience, the number of puppies produced by responsible breeders does not satisfy demand. Shelter and rescue animals are not the best option for every family that wants a pet. AKC issued an alert and provided testimony in opposition to these bills at the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources’ public hearing. AKC is opposed and issued an update. The bill was re-drafted and voted favorably as SB 2820 before being sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Massachusetts – HB 4241 is an abuse and exploitation prevention bill that would also define “coercive control” allowing issuance of restraining orders when a person commits or threatens to commit cruelty or abuse to animals connected to the family or household member. AKC supports the bill. It has passed the House and been amended in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and released for amendment and adoption by the full Senate as SB 2703. A conference committee is resolving differences in the two bills.
Massachusetts – HB 1718 and SB 1142 would establish a taskforce of Massachusetts lawyers and MSPCA/ARL-Boston to review cruelty laws and make recommendations including whether to establish a domestic animal cruelty misdemeanor charge; prohibit sale of animals under 8 weeks and transferring animals roadside with few exceptions; and allow for animal seizure and owner’s payment of board pending court action for suspected neglect. AKC testified in support of the humane care provisions of the bills and requested the committee ensure due process protections and consistent terminology. The Joint Judiciary Committee released a re-draft, now SB 2757, on May 2, 2024 that narrows the bill’s scope to prohibit selling of animals under 8 weeks and transferring animals roadside with few exceptions. It is pending in the Senate Rules Committee.
Massachusetts – As introduced in 2023, SB 190 would prohibit the declawing of cats unless a therapeutic reason offered by a veterinarian deemed it necessary and performed the surgery. After a favorable report by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure it was sent to Senate Ways and Means Committee. In January, SB 190 was amended and released as SB 2552 before passage in the Senate. SB 2552 is before the House Ways and Means Committee and would prohibit the declawing of animals unless a therapeutic reason offered by a veterinarian deemed it necessary to perform the procedure. AKC believes injury preventing canine dewclaw removal on puppies less than five days would be considered cruelty and has expressed these concerns.
Michigan – HB 5525 would allow for non-economic damages for the injury or death of a service animal. AKC understands the emotional pain that can result when a beloved dog is injured or killed. However, AKC opposes the awarding of non-economic damages related to the injury or death of an animal. AKC has long been concerned that allowing non-economic damages for pets will implicitly bring into question the legal status of pets as property. The bill is under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee. Read more.
Michigan – Senate Bills 657 and 658 address the issue of animals being seized on cruelty charges, and the payment of their care during impoundment. These bills, like legislation introduced in the previous session, could cause a person accused of cruelty to permanently forfeit their animals even if they are ultimately found not guilty of charges. AKC appreciates that the bills clarify that if the owner is found not guilty, the animal must be returned to the owner. However, the return appears to be incumbent on whether or not the owner has kept up on cost of care payments during the trial. The bills passed the Senate on June 18 and are pending committee consideration in the House.
New Hampshire – HB 1102 would label brachycephaly a “birth deformity” and make the breeding or sale of any animal that has a “birth deformity” that causes suffering a criminal act. A public hearing was conducted on March 5, 2024. AKC worked closely with its New Hampshire federation (Dog Owners of the Granite State) to establish a broad coalition in opposition, and to organize and prepare extensive testimony, alerts and public outreach, scientific rebuttal and educational information. Following the hearing, at which more than 80% of submitted testimony was in opposition, the committee voted the measure “inexpedient to legislate”. AKC and DOGS continued to educate and advocate in opposition to this radical bill, and on March 28, the full House voted to lay the bill on the table to impede its forward progress for the remainder of the session. Read more.
New Hampshire – SB 587 allows animals as part of a litter transported into the state to be quarantined together. As filed, the bill could result in additional quarantine exemptions. AKC submitted testimony expressing concern and, with NH DOGS, requested an amendment. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources adopted the amendment and the amended bill passed the Senate. It had a hearing in the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on April 16 and was voted favorably on May 2. On May 30 it passed the House and Senate.
New Hampshire – HB 1526 would enable the Board of Veterinary Medicine to issue a conditional veterinary license for veterinarians who are educated in other countries. Multiple reports of a New Hampshire veterinarian shortage exist. AKC submitted testimony on February 6 in support of enhancing access after issuing this alert. The committee voted the bill favorably and the full House passed it on March 28 by voice vote. It was referred to the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee, which held a hearing on May 1. AKC submitted testimony in support. The committee voted favorably and amended HB 1526 to make the conditional license good for two years. It passed the Senate and on May 30 the House voted amended HB 1526 favorably. AKC submitted a letter of support to the Governor and issued this call to action.
New Hampshire – HB 1626 would repeal certain designated funds and change where dog licensing fees are distributed. The House Environment and Agriculture Committee and Ways and Means Committee both voted it ought to pass. An April 2 public hearing before the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee resulted in an amendment regarding reimbursement to veterinarians performing spay/neuter surgeries. A favorable vote on the bill as amended happened on April 30. After the Senate passed amended HB 1626, the House voted it favorably on May 30.
New Jersey – SB 1238 would require employers that serve customers in public facilities to provide training to employees regarding the right of an individual with a disability to have a guide or service dog in a place of public accommodation or a public facility. AKC expressed support for the bill, which was amended and passed by the Senate Labor Committee. The bill will next be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Click here for more information.
New Jersey – SB 1253 seeks to create a three-year pilot program to assess the academic and health benefits associated with the use of therapy dogs in public elementary school wellness programs. The bill, supported by AKC, was passed by the Senate Education Committee. Click here for more information.
New Jersey – Similar to a bill discussed by a Senate Committee in November 2023, A.4051 seeks to prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. It also would impose an expansive definition of pet dealer (any person engaged in the ordinary course of business in the sale of cats or dogs to the public for profit OR any person who sells or offers for sale more than five cats or dogs in one year) without substantively addressing its impact (including how the sale of puppies from one large litter would qualify someone as a pet dealer, and whether the definition would trigger local zoning issues for those described as a pet dealer under the bill). Perhaps most shockingly, the bill seeks to completely repeal New Jersey’s Pet Purchase Protection Act, which allows for consumer restitution if an animal they purchase becomes seriously ill or dies within 14 days after purchase and a veterinarian certifies that the animal as unfit for purchase. GR will work with allied organizations in opposing the bill and its companion bill, S.2511.
New York – Senate Bill 142 and Assembly Bill 3569 seek to ban “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – unless the procedure is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. The AKC opposes these bills which would restrict the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians. It also expands a precedent of government interference in the practice of veterinary medicine. A ban on debarking could also force some owners to relinquish their dogs to shelters as opposed to keeping them in their home. S. 142 passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly Agriculture Committee. A. 3569 passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee on May 21 and is pending in the Rules Committee. Neither bill ultimately passed before the end of session. AKC continues to monitor these bills, as the legislature could return for another session later this year.
New York – Senate Bill 4993/ A. 6244 would expand the opportunities for owners to bring dogs to state parks, so long as they are in compliance with certain rules and regulations. AKC and local clubs support this legislation, which passed both chambers and is awaiting referral to the Governor’s desk.
Ohio – House Bill 277 would provide tax credits to landlords who allow pets. This is a request from local shelters, who hope this will incentivize allowing renters to keep their pets, which may help with shelter population issues. Recent amendments in the House Ways and Means include a cap on the amount of tax credit that can be collected, and allowing landlords to limit the number of pets on the property. They would not, however, be permitted to have breed-specific bans or policies. The bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee on June 10 and awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Ohio – House Bill 443 would repeal a current law that protects the ability of pet stores to sell dogs in the state. AKC is concerned about this proposal, which would limit pet choice and restrict the current protections for the humane sourcing of dogs to pet stores in the state. The bill had its first hearing in the House Government Oversight Committee but remains pending.
Ohio – House Bill 539 would expand the number of breeders subject to state licensing by redefining “high volume dog breeder” as anyone who owns six or more “breeding dogs” and sell directly to the public. AKC is closely monitoring this legislation, which had its sponsor hearing in the House Agriculture Committee on June 11. Read more.
Oregon – HB 4043 creates a new crime of interfering with an animal cruelty investigation. It has passed the Legislature and has been signed by the governor.
Oregon – Initiative Petition 28, filed with the Secretary of State for possible inclusion on the 2026 ballot, is similar to proposed ballot measures from previous years that would outlaw all hunting and field trials and criminalize certain breeding, animal husbandry, and training practices. AKC is working with two broad coalitions in opposition to this proposal and will provide more updates in the coming weeks.
Pennsylvania – Senate Bill 785 establishes a new Animal Welfare Board empowered to review existing laws and regulations related to the keeping and handling of animals and make recommendations for changes. Unlike a short-focused task force, this Board would continue until such a time that legislation was passed to eliminate it, thereby, allowing it to provide review and recommendation to any law or regulation established going forward. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Pennsylvania – Act 18 of 2023 (SB 746) updated Pennsylvania’s dog law to include licensing increases for dogs and kennels among other changes. Language in the legislation has caused issues for boarding kennels, especially those along the state borders, boarding dogs from out of state. Changes require a certified certificate of veterinary inspection from the dog’s home state in order to be boarded in Pennsylvania. Additionally, language in the legislation regarding quarantine requirements for dogs imported to Pennsylvania has resulted in issues for breed rescue groups. Working with the Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE), and both chambers of the General Assembly, AKC GR was successful in having House Bill 2354 introduced which provides relief for breed rescues and a limited exemption from out-of-state boarding kennel requirements for dogs coming from states that border Pennsylvania. AKC GR continues to work with BDLE, who supports eliminating the requirement for boarding kennels, and the General Assembly to either eliminate or expand the states covered by the exemption. HB 2354 was assigned to the House Appropriations Committee where it was stalled for internal reasons.
Pennsylvania – House Bill 2413 was recently introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee. It is the reissued version of HB 2354 and provides the quarantine relief for breed rescues and provides a limited exemption from the out-of-state boarding kennel requirement for a certification of veterinary inspections for dogs who come from bordering states to boarding facilities in the Commonwealth. AKC is closely monitoring this bill and continues to work with the BDLE and key lawmakers.
Pennsylvania – Senate Bill 1087 would have made changes to the laws related to trespassing on private property while hunting. Even if unarmed, a hunter would have not only been trespassing if they went on posted property to retrieve a dog but would also be charged with trespassing if their dog strayed onto posted property. Working with sportsmen groups, AKC GR was successful in having the bill amended to remove the language related to dogs entering posted property and reinstated the exemption in current law that allows for an unarmed hunter to retrieve their dog. The bill was amended into Senate Bill 67 and passed the full Senate on June 5, 2024. It has yet to be assigned to the House Committee.
Rhode Island – HB 7236 and SB 2655 are companion bills that would amend the Domestic Violence Prevention Act to include cruelty to animals owned or cared for by a household member in the crime. AKC supports these bills and submitted testimony to the House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary committees respectively for the April 4 public hearings. The committees recommended the measures be held for further study and did not advance prior to adjournment.
Rhode Island – HB 7294 would prohibit captive hunting for domestic or wild animals without prohibiting the release of upland game birds for hunting on licensed shooting preserves. AKC negotiated a clarifying amendment to ensure that it would not interfere with lawful field trials. The bill was amended with the AKC clarifying amendment requested and passed the full House on May 23. After review by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee, it was voted favorably on June 4. On March 8, SB 2732 was introduced in the Senate with the AKC clarifying amendment included. It passed the Senate on April 9 and the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted passage on May 21. Final passage of both measures took place on June 11.
Rhode Island – HB 8060 was introduced on March 13 to allow the town of Hopkinton to enact ordinances increasing the fines for violations of any dog ordinance and increasing the fee to be paid before an animal in impoundment may be released to its owner. It was heard by the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee and voted favorably on April 11. The full House passed it on April 23. The Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee accepted testimony on June 4 and sent the bill to the Governor on June 12.
Rhode Island – SB 2538 testimony was received by the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee on May 24. An amended SB 2538 would permit euthanasia of vicious dogs upon finding that a dog’s condition warrants euthanasia or after the determination that there is no reasonable placement for the dog and requires any municipality that surrenders one to RISPCA be responsible for the costs. The amended bill passed the Senate on June 4 and the House concurred with passage on June 12.
Rhode Island – HB 7970 is a refiled bill that would establish a custody procedure for domestic companion animals in divorce and separation cases by requiring the court to consider the best interest of the animal, including factors such as original ownership, caretaking responsibilities, time spent with the animal, living arrangements, children’s attachment to the animal, and shared custody logistics. In 2021, AKC secured amendments to the bill substituting the words “ownership” and “possession” in lieu of “custody” because of the common divorce and separation proceedings’ use of the word “custody” in relation to children. However, the sponsor reserved using “shared custody” in relation to court decisions awarding joint ownership. AKC’s testimony requested this be removed from the bill. On May 24, HB 7970 was placed on the House calendar with an amendment notice. It passed the House without amendment and was taken up by the Senate on June 13 in concurrence.
South Carolina – H 3238, among other provisions, sought to require a person, on a second conviction for animal cruelty offenses, to forfeit all animals and to not own an animal for up to five years, regardless of the nature or severity of the offense. AKC supports full enforcement of fair and reasonable animal cruelty laws and appropriate penalties for abusers; however, the scope of H.3238 was overreaching. The bill did not advance prior to adjournment of South Carolina’s two-year session.
South Carolina – House Bill 3682 problematically expands the process whereby a court may require the owner of animals seized on suspicion of an animal cruelty offense to deposit each month with the court the anticipated costs of seizure and care of the animals. Failure to pay and continue paying these costs can result in forfeiture of the animals absent any finding of guilt. AKC GR sent letters of concern regarding the original bill (filed in 2023) and recommended amendatory language. The bill was positively amended to provide that if the animal owner is adjudicated not guilty of all charges related to the animal seizure or all charges are dismissed not pursuant to plea negotiations or an intervention program, the owner shall receive from the agency a refund of all costs. The bill was additionally amended to provide that the court may award interest on the amount refunded to the owner, and the court may reduce the amount an owner is required to pay if the owner is indigent. However, this legislation remains overreaching in that an animal may be seized absent an arrest, the owner may be required to remit costs of care even when the owner is not the defendant or charged with a crime, and the requirement to remit costs is determined via a civil hearing limited to whether probable cause existed to seize the animal. H 3682 was signed by the Governor on May 21, 2024, and took effect immediately.
South Carolina – HB 4611 makes it an offense for a person to intentionally remove or destroy an electronic collar or other electronic device that was placed on a dog by its owner. AKC supported this legislation, which was signed by Governor McMaster on May 20, 2024, and took effect immediately.
Vermont – H. 626 is a comprehensive animal welfare bill to establish a Division of Animal Welfare at the Department of Public Safety that would develop, implement, and administer a centralized program for investigating and enforcing animal welfare requirements in the State. It also would amend or establish standards for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations and detail requirements for the importation or transportation of animals into the State. The bill was referred to the House Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee which has held multiple meetings and ultimately reviewed and approved an amended H. 626 that is much narrower in scope. It would establish a new Director responsible for developing a legislative roadmap on how to move forward in creating, and funding, a new division with comprehensive responsibility for all activities. The new position would be funded by the state and an additional $2 surcharge on dog licenses advocated for by the Committee on Ways and Means. An additional amendment provided an extended implementation date and approved by the Committee on Appropriations. Upon passage in the House, amended H. 626 was further amended by the Senate Government Operations Committee on May 2 to require animal care standards for animals imported, in addition to animals housed; and to require state agencies to estimate the number of animal welfare complaints received annually. The Governor signed it into law on June 10. Details are here.
Washington – HB 1012 is a bill carried over from 2023 that will provide state grants to localities so they can protect their citizens and their pets during extreme weather events. This would include funding for emergency shelters, transportation and lodging during extreme weather. This bill has passed the Legislature and been signed by the governor. AKC looks forward to it being implemented.