What’s Hot in Legislation
May 26, 2026
Mid-session Updates: FL, GA, HI, IA, and MD
Kelly Crouch, CFA Legislative Information Liaison
Florida
There have been many attempts over the past 29 years to regulate dog breeders in the state. Once again, those efforts died when SB 1356 and HB 1521 failed to progress.
Senate Bill 1004 amends the consumer protection laws governing pet sales and animal cruelty. It has been enrolled and sent to the governor. If enacted, the pet dealer threshold is raised to selling more than three litters or 30 dogs or cats per year, record-keeping requirements are added for all pet dealers, and best management practices are established for dog breeders. The bill was signed by the governor.
Georgia
Senate Bill 590 would have expanded regulations on dog breeders had it been enacted. Cat breeders would not have been impacted. Georgia has one of the most restrictive cat and dog breeder laws in the country. Fortunately, the bill died and will not carry over into 2027.
Hawaii
Several bills were introduced in Hawaii that would have burdened cat and dog breeders. House Bill 1594 and SB 3012 would prohibit intact cats and dogs from being imported unless the breeder was registered with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. House Bill 1736-2 would establish a spay/neuter fund at the cost of mandating the sterilization of all cats. Any free-roaming cats caught and sterilized could only be placed in sanctuaries. Fortunately, all these bills died and will not carry over to 2027. Fanciers should expect renewed efforts in 2027.
Iowa
Senate Bill 2306 would have subjected “commercial” breeders to inspection. It would have defined a commercial breeder as “a person, engaged in the business of breeding dogs or cats, who sells, exchanges, or leases dogs or cats in return for consideration, or who offers to do so, whether or not the animals are raised, trained, groomed, or boarded by the person. A person who owns or harbors three or fewer breeding males or females is not a commercial breeder.” It died.
Maryland
House Bill 1551 died when the legislature adjourned. The bill would have established the Dog Breeder Accountability Fund and imposed mandates on dog breeders, including requiring that every puppy be issued a birth certificate by the state.
You are the eyes and ears of the cat fancy! Is detrimental legislation happening in your area? Please let us know. Contact the CFA Legislative Group at legislation@cfa.org
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