Kentucky Senate Agriculture Committee deadlocks on bill to standardize pet-store breeder rules

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate Committee on Agriculture on Monday considered Senate Bill 122, a measure intended to set statewide standards for pet-store sales and to define qualified breeders, but the panel deadlocked 5-5 and the bill failed to advance.

Chairman Howe opened the roughly 30-minute session by saying his objective in filing the bill was to “balance out protecting private business rights from ... overreach, while still preserving as much local control,” and he told committee members he planned to work with stakeholders on a floor amendment to clarify breeder qualification, monitoring authority, and the destination of fines and fees.

The lead proponents were representatives of Petland. Elizabeth Kunselman, vice president of legislative and public affairs for Petland, told the committee she represented three Petland stores in Kentucky and called SB 122 “a balanced, sensible approach that addresses concerns about irresponsible breeding while protecting the rights and livelihoods of independent law abiding pet retailers.” Kunselman said local bans have closed planned investments and…