SF2415 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Companion Animal Board establishment, duties transfer, rulemaking authorization, and appropriation
Related bill: HF2490
AI Generated Summary
This bill, S.F. No. 2415, proposes the creation of a Companion Animal Board in Minnesota. The board would be responsible for overseeing the welfare of companion animals (such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and other non-agricultural domesticated animals), promoting responsible pet ownership, and administering regulations related to animal shelters, rescues, and commercial breeders.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Creation of the Companion Animal Board (CAB)
- The board will regulate and promote the welfare of companion animals in Minnesota.
- It will not have authority over livestock, wild animals, or racehorses.
- The board will regulate and promote the welfare of companion animals in Minnesota.
Board Structure
- The board will have 13 members, appointed by the governor, representing veterinarians, animal shelters, local governments, tribal communities, commercial breeders, and human welfare professionals.
- The board will employ an executive director and other necessary staff.
- The board will have 13 members, appointed by the governor, representing veterinarians, animal shelters, local governments, tribal communities, commercial breeders, and human welfare professionals.
Duties of the Board
- Regulate & Enforce Laws:
- Licensing and inspection of cat and dog kennels, dealers, and commercial breeders.
- Enforcement of state laws related to companion animal welfare.
- Licensing and inspection of cat and dog kennels, dealers, and commercial breeders.
- Education & Outreach:
- Providing public information on pet care and welfare.
- Supporting humane education campaigns.
- Providing public information on pet care and welfare.
- Services & Resources:
- Assessing community needs for companion animal welfare.
- Collaborating with nonprofit organizations, local governments, and veterinary clinics.
- Assessing community needs for companion animal welfare.
- Grant Program:
- The board will administer grants to support veterinary care, shelter improvements, and education programs.
- The grants will be funded through a "Companion Animal Account."
- The board must submit an annual report to the legislature on these grants and their impact.
- The board will administer grants to support veterinary care, shelter improvements, and education programs.
- Regulate & Enforce Laws:
Reporting Requirements
- The board must issue an annual report by January 15 each year, summarizing its work and financial activities.
This bill effectively consolidates statewide oversight of companion animal welfare and provides avenues for funding and support to shelters, veterinary services, and education efforts.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 12, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 12, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Referred to | Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development |
| March 12, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development |
| April 01, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| April 08, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Companion Animal Board involved in oversight."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill amends the duties assigned to entities under section 35.02, specifically influencing duties related to state governance and animal health.",
"modified": [
"Alters existing jurisdictional outlines for animal-related governance."
]
},
"citation": "35.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Board's new enforcement and regulatory roles over companion animals."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This action amends section 347.58 to reflect new responsibilities for the Companion Animal Board over animal welfare.",
"modified": [
"Updates existing frameworks for animal welfare enforcement."
]
},
"citation": "347.58",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes additional species such as non-native birds and small reptiles."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Modifies the definitions relating to companion animals under section 343.20.",
"modified": [
"Expanded definitions to reflect broader interpretations of 'companion animals.'"
]
},
"citation": "343.20",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarified inclusion of small nonvenomous amphibians and reptiles."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This modifies definitions within section 346.36 pertaining to what constitutes a companion animal.",
"modified": [
"Provides detailed listing of animals classified as pets."
]
},
"citation": "346.36",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Bill references regulatory exclusions for certain animals under section 346.155.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies exclusions are based on regulatory definitions."
]
},
"citation": "346.155",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill references exclusions for wildlife under section 97A.015.",
"modified": [
"Specifies which wild animals remain outside the Companion Animal Board's jurisdiction."
]
},
"citation": "97A.015",
"subdivision": "subdivision 55"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "References chapter 240 to denote racehorse regulation exclusions.",
"modified": [
"Affirms racehorses remain regulated under separate statutory authority."
]
},
"citation": "240",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Acknowledges the separation of powers concerning veterinary medicine practice under chapter 156.",
"modified": [
"Ensures no overlap in authority between new board and established veterinary practices."
]
},
"citation": "156",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Addresses administrative governance concerning terms, compensation, and removals as guided by section 15.0575.",
"modified": [
"Applies standard governance norms to board members."
]
},
"citation": "15.0575",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Licensing frameworks are updated for kennels and dealers."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Proposes modifications to extend or reassess licensing and inspection frameworks under section 347.31.",
"modified": [
"Enforcement roles reassigned or reinforced under new board."
]
},
"citation": "347.31",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The enforcement of section 347.40 is impacted through adjustment of licensing and inspection duties.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates new rulemaking powers into enforcement mechanisms."
]
},
"citation": "347.40",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Amends enforcement provisions for commercial breeders under section 347.57.",
"modified": [
"Board tasked with ensuring compliance within the breeding sector."
]
},
"citation": "347.57",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The legislative modifications to section 347.65 further cement the board's oversight duties.",
"modified": [
"Defines scope and application of enforcement principles."
]
},
"citation": "347.65",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New grant disbursement procedures."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Establishes grant program oversight under section 16B.97.",
"modified": [
"Ensures grants meet stipulated objectives and outcomes."
]
},
"citation": "16B.97",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Compliance in grant administration emphasized within the context of section 16B.991.",
"modified": [
"Aligns grant operations with statutory compliance norms."
]
},
"citation": "16B.991",
"subdivision": ""
}
]