House rejects bill to alter state code on service, assistance and companion animals

The North Dakota House on Tuesday rejected Senate Bill 2193, a measure intended to revise state law definitions for service animals, assistance animals and companion animals and to add certification and sale provisions. The bill failed on final passage, with a recorded tally of 12 yea and 80 nay.

Representative Dobrevitch, presenting the bill on the floor, said the legislation sought to "clearly define service animals, assistance animals and companion animals in code" and to address individuals misrepresenting pets as service animals. She said the committee worked through many amendments to align state code with federal housing and disability law but ultimately "we were not able to come to a place where we met all of the requirements" and recommended a do-not-pass.

The Human Services Committee had reported a do-not-pass recommendation. Representative Dobrevitch asked members to "please consider concurring with your agriculture committee and vote no" on final passage (committee text recorded she asked members to vote "rent" on the floor; the committee recommendation on the transcript was do not pass).

Representative Nelson offered a personal remark about a dog named Willie, saying, "Willie is a little disappointed that he's not able to join me in places even like the capitol." That comment came during floor discussion but did not change the committee recommendation or the final result.

Because the committee concluded the amended bill could not meet federal housing-disability alignment while preserving companion-animal protections, the House declined to adopt it. The bill's failure means existing statutory language remains in force unless the legislature later introduces a different measure addressing these topics.

Votes: Senate Bill 2193 — failed on final passage in the House, 12 yea, 80 nay.