Committee hears bill to ban parking-lot sales of dogs, cats and rabbits; no vote

The Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee held a hearing on HB331, a bill that would prohibit selling dogs, cats and rabbits for consideration in parking lots, road shoulders or pop-up flea-market locations unless the seller holds a Department of Agriculture license.

Representative Camp, the bill author, said the intent is to stop individuals who bring animals from out of state and sell them with limited medical records and no reliable follow-up. “This bill specifically seeks to stop individuals from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits in parking lots,” he said. The proposal would still allow sales at a seller’s home, a veterinarian’s office, a licensed breeder’s place, or at sanctioned events such as 4‑H shows and agricultural exhibitions.

Members asked about enforcement and penalties. The bill as presented set a $100 fine for a first offense and larger penalties thereafter; the Department of Agriculture told the author it preferred counting offenses per animal sold rather than per incident, and Camp said the department might seek changes. Representative Veil Ward noted similar measures had been discussed previously; the sponsor described carve-outs for small, occasional backyard sales and for licensed breeders.

A range of members asked whether the penalty amounts would deter commercial puppy‑market activity; the author said fines and licensing are intended to target commercial sellers operating in public spaces without accountability. The committee did not vote on HB331 at this hearing and the author said he would return with possible changes after further discussions with the Department of Agriculture.