Bill > A01939

This bill amends the New York Agriculture and Markets Law to narrow the exemption for animal dealers from licensing and control requirements. Specifically, it modifies the existing law to limit the exemption for Class A dealers under the Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which is a federal regulation governing the treatment of animals in research, exhibitions, transport, and by dealers. Previously, the law exempted dog breeders licensed as Class A dealers from certain regulations. The bill now restricts this exemption to dealers who sell dogs exclusively to USDA registered research facilities or research facilities with a Public Health Services approved Animal Welfare Assurance from the National Institutes of Health, as well as certain federal government agencies and foreign research entities. This change aims to provide more oversight and control over animal dealers by reducing the number of dealers who can operate without specific licensing and identification requirements. The bill will take effect 120 days after becoming law, giving affected dealers time to adjust to the new regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1939