Legislative Alerts

Monday, February 04, 2019 Two New Jersey bills that seek to create a state oversight program for pet groomers—Assembly Bill 3044 and Senate Bill 2514—are scheduled to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, February 7, 2019. Both known as Bijou’s Law, these bills were introduced in 2018 with matching language.  A.3044 was […]

February 4, 2019 On Thursday, February 7, the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be considering a bill to create an animal abuse registry in Maryland. Under House Bill 131, those convicted of cruelty offenses would be required to register with the sheriff’s office in their county of residence.  This includes within 7 days of a […]

February 4, 2019 A Virginia Senate committee is expected to consider a bill as early as Thursday (February 7) that would amend the state’s tethering laws. The AKC appreciates that, unlike other tethering bills considered this session, this bill does not regulate tethering based on specific temperature ranges or allow localities to pass even stricter […]

February 1, 2019 The Solano County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal at its Tuesday, February 5, meeting to limit the use of the Solano County Fairgrounds to the annual county fair. This would mean that all events that currently use the fairgrounds, including dog shows, would no longer continue at the venue. Solano […]

February 1, 2019 Manteca, California, will consider a proposal on Tuesday, February 5, that could limit residents to owning three dogs and three cats.  To own more than three dogs and cats, the proposal would require that residents obtain a kennel license. Although kennel licenses are already technically required in Manteca for those who own […]

February 1, 2019 The Washington House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business will hear House Bill 1640 in a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 5, and in executive session on Thursday, February 7. HB 1640 will prohibit retail pet stores from selling any dog or cat unless the dog or cat has been obtained from […]

Friday, February 01, 2019 The Hawaii House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider several dog-related bills at its meeting on Friday, February 8, 2019.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and our Hawaii federation, the Pacific Pet Alliance, encourage all concerned Hawaiian dog breeders and owners to contact the committee members and express their views before […]

Thursday, January 31, 2019 New Hampshire House Bill 688 - An Act Relative to Transfer and Inspection of Animals, which both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and our New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (DOGS), have serious concerns about, has been scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at […]

January 30, 2019 The Colorado House Judiciary Committee is considering a bill tomorrow (Thursday, January 31) that would prohibit ownership of animals for five years for any misdemeanor violation, and 10 years for a felony violation. House Bill 19-1092 increases the penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty in Colorado.  The sponsor of the bill […]

Maryland House and Senate committees are considering bills over the next week that could cause an owner to permanently lose ownership of their animals when they are suspected of cruelty – even if they are found not guilty. The AKC agrees that anyone found guilty of cruelty should be punished appropriately, including being responsible for […]