State-level issues the AKC is currently tracking
Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.
Archive
Click a button below to expand the list for the corresponding year.
NE State Issues
March 2024
HB 5223 seeks to amend the legal definition of "grooming facility" to include those doing business in "any vehicle or trailer". Following AKC's request and a meeting with legislative and administrative staff, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture determined that those who groom a dog in preparation for a competitive event would not be impacted by the language.
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February 2024
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.
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January 2024
HB 2423 would expand Nero's law to authorize providing advanced life support measures that match the expertise of emergency personnel and may in fact provide greater protection.
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December 2023
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.
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November 2023
SB 1056 would, among other provisions, require a minimum of 100 square feet per dog for outdoor enclosures and ban the kenneling of any dog outsideunattended for more than 5 hours or from 10pm to 6am. AKC opposes the measure as introduced.
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October 2023
HB 2102 and SB 1059 would expand the current model of issuing civil fines for neglect of dogs to other domestic animals and send fines collected to the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund instead of the General Fund
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September 2023
SB 1056 would, among other provisions, require a minimum of 100 square feet per dog for outdoor enclosures and ban the kenneling of any dog outside unattended for more than 5 hours or from 10pm to 6am. AKC opposes the measure as introduced.
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August 2023
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.
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July 2023
LD 598 would make it a civil violation for an operator of a motor vehicle to fail to report an accident with a cat, a dog or livestock to a law enforcement officer or to the owner of the animal by the quickest means available.
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June 2023
LD 1234 would require the Department of Public Safety to reimburse authorized handlers of retired law enforcement dogs that were used in service by the State Police up to $5,000 per year for health care expenses of their dogs.
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May 2023
HB 6714 would redefine the crime of sexual contact with an animal, require that veterinarians report suspected incidents of animal cruelty, and prohibit persons convicted of animal cruelty or having sexual contact with an animal from possessing or working with animals for a period of five years.
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March 2023
The Judiciary Committee raised SB 1060 that would expand the court's authority to appoint an attorney to represent animals generally. The goal of animal rights activists is to give animals the same rights and privileges as people by changing the legal classification of animals from property to "legal beings". AKC opposes SB 1060, issued an alert and testified in opposition on March 1 with the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners.
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February 2023
The Judiciary Committee raised SB 1060 that would expand the court's authority to appoint an attorney to represent animals generally. The goal of animal rights activists is to give animals the same rights and privileges as people by changing the legal classification of animals from property to "legal beings".
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January 2023
The Department of Agriculture has convened a workgroup to explore a state-wide dog license portal. In addition to the Conference of Municipalities, the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association and the Town Clerks Association, AKC and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners are discussing provisions for the pre-use testing of the portal by each category of intended users and an implementation plan for consideration by the General Assembly next year.
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November 2022
The Department of Agriculture has convened to explore a state-wide dog license portal. The House Ways and Means Committee released a redraft of legislation establishing a special commission to study the use of service animals.
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September 2022
Established in Public Act No. 22-54, the Department of Agriculture has convened a workgroup to explore a state-wide dog license portal. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has hired Ronda Steciuk as the new Animal Welfare Program Director.
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August 2022
SB 2397 would prohibit the misrepresentation of a service animal. AKC GR submitted testimony in support to the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs for the public hearing.
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July 2022
HB 5295 was signed into law on May 10 as Public Act 22-54. It establishes a working group to examine the development of a statewide dog license portal.
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June 2022
Despite AKC GR testimony in opposition to SB 1322, the bill has been released favorably again this session from the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
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May 2022
After a public hearing by the Joint Planning and Development Committee on February 25, the committee amended HB 5170 to prevent dogs from being left outside without shelter for more than 15 minutes after a National Weather Service advisory is issued, unless accompanied by a person.
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April 2022
After a public hearing, the Joint Planning and Development Committee amended HB 5170 to prevent dogs from being left outside without shelter for more than 15 minutes after a National Weather Service advisory is issued, unless accompanied by a person.
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March 2022
The Connecticut animal advocates caucus has introduced HB 5170, which would establish requirements for the adequate sheltering of dogs and add additional requirements concerning the tethering of dogs.
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February 2022
Despite AKC GR testimony in opposition to SB 1322, the bill has been released favorably again this session from the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
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January 2022
Members of the Connecticut Animal Advocacy Caucus met with advocates to identify legislative priorities for the session. The agenda includes legislation that would prohibit the use of exotic or wild animals in traveling animal acts.
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December 2021
In an October 28 Connecticut Post opinion, CT Votes for Animals urged action to address animal fighting in the state by calling upon the General Assembly to pass legislation on animal fighting paraphernalia as proposed by the Humane Society of the United States. AKC GR will closely monitor any bill text in this regard.
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November 2021
Deputy Speaker Mushinsky has met with two state agencies regarding legislation for therapy dog recognition. A bill is expected to be re-drafted and re-filed for next year. SB 230 and HB 384 seek to ban the retail sale of cats and dogs in pet shops unless they are sourced from animal shelters or rescue organizations.
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October 2021
AKC GR testified in support of SB 885 and HB 1437 which would prevent housing and insurance entities from discriminating against owners of dogs based upon breed, size or appearance. HB 2547 would authorize the emergency transport and treatment of police K-9s injured in the line of duty.
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September 2021
News from the New England State Capitols – Please share with your networks Connecticut – Deputy Speaker Mushinsky has met with two state agencies regarding legislation for therapy dog recognition. A bill is expected to be re-drafted and re-filed for next year.
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August 2021
HB 2547 would authorize the emergency transport and treatment of police K-9s injured in the line of duty. AKC GR urged Massachusetts residents to contact their lawmakers and request that they co-sponsor the bill and as a result, a significant number of new legislators signed on as co-sponsors. A companion bill, SB 1606, was refiled in the Senate.
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July 2021
In contested divorce proceedings involving the disposition of a companion animal, LD 535 would require courts to consider the well-being of the animal and a list of relevant factors. SB 230 and HB 384 are refiled bills that seek to ban the retail sale of cats and dogs in pet shops unless they are sourced from animal shelters or rescue organizations.
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June 2021
In addition to other helpful provisions, HB 6504 requires a veterinary examination of animals brought into the state by animal shelters. AKC GR issued an alert and testified in support of HB 6504. The House and Senate approved the bill, and it is now Public Act 21-90.
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May 2021
HB 6318 would update Connecticut's statutes to align with federal service animal definitions and requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It also would educate the public regarding the differences between service, emotional support, and therapy animals and raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of these animal owners.
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April 2021
The Joint Planning and Development Committee considered HB 6542 authorizing municipalities to adopt and enforce obligations and restrictions on pet retail sales. AKC GR issued an alert and testified in opposition. Adopting this measure would result in a patchwork of different rules across the state.
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March 2021
The Joint Human Services Committee received testimony regarding HB 6318, which would update Connecticut's statutes to align with federal service animal definitions and requirements under the ADA. It also would educate the public regarding differences between service, support, and therapy animals and raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of owners.
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February 2021
Several bills impacting dog owners have been pre-filed for this year and AKC GR is meeting virtually with the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners to discuss them. For example, SB 458 a companion animal breeders license has been proposed and AKC GR held a virtual meeting with the Senate.
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December 2020
A Police Transparency and Accountability Taskforce has been gathering public input before issuing recommendations for law enforcement reforms. The House and Senate introduced bills that would ban or severely limit the use of police K-9s and mischaracterize how working police K-9s are utilized. Governor Sununu convened a Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency Commission in June to review oversight, training standards and make recommendations for change.
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October 2020
A Police Transparency and Accountability Taskforce has been gathering public input before issuing recommendations for law enforcement reforms. The state Department of Agriculture released draft regulations for animal importers and shelters. Bills were introduced in the House and Senate that would ban or severely limit the use of police K-9s and mischaracterize how working police K-9s are utilized. Two pet retail ban bills – HB 800 and SB 175 – were re-drafted by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
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September 2020
Last month the AKC Government Relations Department announced the formation of new Antibreeder harassment taskforce and its webpage with resource information and a reporting form. In September, the Police Transparency and Accountability Taskforce is hosting multiple listening sessions allowing the public to share recommendations for law enforcement reforms. The state Department of Agriculture released draft regulations for animal importers and shelters. The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus filed HD 5128, which included a provision prohibiting the utilization of working police K-9s.
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August 2020
A Task Force on Police Transparency and Accountability has proposed three subcommittees to provide recommendations on improving police interactions, Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government released a committee re-draft of multiple animal bills.
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July 2020
A Task Force on Police Transparency and Accountability has proposed three subcommittees to provide recommendations on improving police interactions, assessing resource allocations and collecting data on police actions. A final report and legislative recommendations are expected by December.
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June 2020
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources announced June 4, 2020 it had finalized adoption of detailed regulations overseeing animal rescue and shelter organizations and updated regulations for pet shops. A public hearing with strong opposition from animal rights activists was held last April.
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May 2020
Passage of SB 2646, PAWS II, established a special commission to study and report on the feasibility and cost of mandating that employees and contractors of the Department of Children and Families, employees and contractors of the Department of Elder Affairs and investigators for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission report known or suspected animal cruelty, abuse and neglect.
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April 2020
The state department of agriculture has publicly released notice of draft regulations overseeing animal importers and shelters. AKC GR has reviewed the proposal and is drafting comments to request the strengthening these rules. Human Services committee is considering HB 5440 to align state law with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
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March 2020
A hearing on HB 5368 was held and the bill has been favorably released by the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate making it active for a vote. This bill would establish a task force composed of political appointees to study the use of breed of dog as an underwriting factor for homeowner's insurance policies.
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