SB183 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David SessionsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Pet stores, regulation of, prohibit from providing false information on certifications, civil penalities, Dept. of Agriculture and Industries provided rulemaking authority, Agricultural Fund, created

Summary

SB 183 would regulate pet stores that sell dogs by licensing them, setting sourcing and health-document requirements, and imposing penalties to ensure dogs are sold responsibly.

What This Bill Does

It would require pet stores to obtain a license from the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with a $500 fee and one-year validity. It would limit dog sales to sources such as animal rescues, animal shelters, dog wholesalers from qualified breeders, or qualified breeders themselves, and require health paperwork, a microchip, and age verification before sale. It would prohibit selling dogs under eight weeks or without required documentation and would impose civil penalties for violations, while creating an Agricultural Fund to collect license money and giving the state authority over pet-store regulation. It would also preempt local pet-store rules in most cases and authorize the department to adopt implementing rules, with the measure taking effect after a short delay.

Who It Affects

• Pet stores and their employees: must obtain and renew a state pet-store license, follow sourcing and documentation requirements, and could face civil penalties for violations.
• Breeders, dog wholesalers, animal rescues and shelters, and dog buyers: breeders/wholesalers must meet qualification criteria to supply dogs; rescues/shelters can be sources; buyers must receive specific information and meet age and identification rules; certain breeder and dog information must be publicly available at the store.

Key Provisions

• Licensing: the commissioner issues a pet store license upon application, with a $500 fee, valid for one year, and annual renewal; license money goes to the Agricultural Fund.
• Source and sale restrictions: dogs sold in stores must come from an animal rescue, an animal shelter, a dog wholesaler (if the breeder is a qualified breeder), or a qualified breeder; sales must avoid under-8-week puppies and require a veterinary certificate, implanted microchip, and proof of age; records must include breeder details, birth date, date of possession, breed, vet health information, and a store certification signed by staff, kept for two years.
• Certification integrity and exemptions: stores cannot recklessly alter or provide false information on required certifications; the rule does not apply to dogs sold within the premises where they were bred and raised.
• Public information: certain breeder and dog details must be available to the public at the pet store.
• Civil penalties: the commissioner can assess penalties ($500 first, $2,500 second, $10,000 third+), with due process and money going to the Agricultural Fund.
• Preemption and scope: the bill preempts local pet-store regulation in most cases, giving state control, but allows that pre-2019 local regulations may remain in effect; the department regulates only dog sales in pet stores, not other animals.
• Rulemaking and effective date: the Department of Agriculture and Industries will adopt implementing rules, and the act becomes effective three months after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pet Stores