Companion bills in Tennessee that seek to license and regulate commercial breeders are scheduled for consideration by legislative committees on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that House Bill 2938 and Senate Bill 2513 attempt to regulate people who simply possess dogs (rather than those who engage in true commercial activity (i.e., selling dogs). It should be noted that a previously enacted commercial breeder law In Tennessee that was similar to HB 2938 and SB 2513 proved to be so ineffective and costly that the legislature allowed it to expire.
Tennessee breeders, owners, and other concerned residents are encouraged to contact the committees noted below to express their opposition to the bills.
WHAT HOUSE BILL 2938 AND SENATE BILL 2513 WOULD DO:
- Define “commercial breeder” as a person who possesses or maintains 10 or more dogs and/or cats for the purpose of selling the offspring as companion animals. The measure does not indicate how “for the purpose of selling offspring” would be defined, however some communities consider the keeping of an intact animals to be proof of intent to sell offspring. Specifically excluded are those who possess or maintain dogs for the purposes of practicing veterinary medicine, hunting, training or handling, boarding, or grooming.
- Requires annual licensure of commercial breeders. Licenses would be for a single facility and non-transferable.
- Allows for a licensure application fee of up to $15 per adult female dog or cat in the possession or immediate control of the applicant for the purpose of selling the offspring.
- Requires prelicense inspection of the person’s premises.
- Requires applicants to have a valid tax registration number and be in good standing with the Department of Revenue; be at least 18 years old; not have been convicted of a cruelty offense, or reside with someone who has; does not operate or have a controlling interest in an animal shelter or rescue; and veterinarian-signed documentation evidencing the applicant has completed a program of veterinary care.
- Allow for up to a $150 license renewal fee.
- Mandate at minimum annual inspection, and allows for a corrective action period if violations are found during an inspection. Failure to take corrective action may result in an up-to-$1,500 per violation, license revocation and permanent prohibition from operating as a commercial breeder, and cruelty charges.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned Tennessee breeders, owners, and other residents are encouraged to contact the members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee to express opposition to HB 2938, and the members of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to express opposition to SB 2513. Please feel free to use the talking points above. Concerned residents are also encouraged to appear at the hearings and express opposition to the bills. Details for each hearing are included below.
House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee – Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 10:30AM, House Hearing Room III, Cordell Hull Building, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, Tennessee 37243. Click here for the committee’s March 12th agenda.
State Representative Rusty Grills, Chair – (615) 741-0718, rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Tandy Darby – (615) 741-7847, rep.tandy.darby@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Monty Fritts – (615) 741-7658, rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Bud Hulsey – (615) 741-2886, rep.bud.hulsey@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Justin Jones – (615) 741-2184, rep.justin.jones@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Jay D. Reedy – (615) 741-7098, rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Johnny Shaw – (615) 741-4538, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Chris Todd – (615) 741-7475, rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov
State Representative Ron Travis – (615) 741-1450, rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
Legislative Assistant Kyle Faulkner – (615) 741-0718, kyle.faulkner@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Commerce and Labor Committee – Hearing: Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 1PM, Senate Hearing Room I, Cordell Hull Building, 425 Rep. John Lewis Way N., Nashville, Tennessee 37243. Click here for the committee’s March 12th agenda.
State Senator Paul Bailey, Chair – (615) 741-3978, sen.paul.bailey@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Art Swann, Vice-Chair – (615) 741-0981, sen.art.swann@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Frank Niceley, 2nd Vice-Chair – (615) 741-2061, sen.frank.niceley@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Raumesh Akbari – (615) 741-1767, sen.raumesh.akbari@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Jack Johnson – (615) 741-2495, sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Shane Reeves – (615) 741-1066, sen.shane.reeves@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Steve Southerland – (615) 741-3851, sen.steve.southerland@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Bo Watson – (615) 741-3227, sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov
State Senator Ken Yager – (615) 741-1449, sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov
Committee Executive Secretary Stephanie Ayub – stephanie.ayub@capitol.tn.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.