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Committee adopts substitute clarifying local regulation of pet sellers after enforcement concerns
Summary
The committee adopted a substitute to Senate Bill 122, clarifying that local governments may regulate—but not outright ban—covered pet-related businesses and directing fines and fees to the regulating local authorities.
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture adopted a committee substitute to Senate Bill 122 and then, after debate, advanced the bill.
Committee members said the substitute (Senate Committee Sub 2) clarifies local authority to regulate certain businesses — it does not allow outright bans — and directs any fines and fees collected under the ordinance back to the local authorities doing the regulating. Chair Howell and committee members described the substitute as a set of clarifications addressing concerns raised at a prior meeting.
Several senators expressed persistent concerns about enforcement and the ability to verify animal origin and health records when animals are imported from out of state. Senator Deneen said he remained opposed because "on the back end of this bill ... some of those things still need to be addressed on the enforcement side of things" and warned the measure could "open the door up for a lot of bad actors." Senator Funke Froehmeyer said her "biggest concerns" were the "inability to verify the origin or the health animal records" when animals are shipped in from other states.
Senator Webb supported the measure, saying a regulatory scheme is needed and noting that the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a qualification scheme for breeders. "If it's an enforcement issue, it's a local enforcement issue," Webb said, and later recorded his vote in favor.
The committee record shows a motion to adopt the committee substitute (moved by Senator Carpenter and seconded by Senator Boswell) and a subsequent motion to advance the bill with the substitute. The transcript records a mix of recorded "aye" and "no" votes and extended explanations given by several senators during the roll call. After the roll call and explanations the chair stated the motion passes and the bill will move forward.
The committee did not add further amendments on the record at the close of the discussion. Members asked for continued work among parties to resolve outstanding enforcement questions before floor consideration.
