Bill
A 5173
Creates a five-member Working Group in NJ Dept. of Agriculture to verify purebred status, promote ethical breeding, curb unethical practices, and deliver a report within one year.
A 5173 — Summary of Introduced Version (Responsible Animal Breeding Working Group)
Note on title: The introduced text for A-5173 appears to establish a Responsible Animal Breeding Working Group (not a hiking trail safety pilot program). The summary below reflects the introduced animal-breeding provisions currently in the bill as of introduction.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a Working Group on Responsible Animal Breeding within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to promote access to responsibly bred, purebred animals and to develop policy and administrative recommendations aimed at ethical breeding practices and reducing unethical breeding in the state.
- Status: Introduced January 14, 2025; referred to Environmental Conservation after initial committee referrals.
Purpose and intent
- Ensure citizens have access to the purebred animal of their choice while promoting responsible and ethical breeding practices.
- Develop recommendations for legislative, administrative, and policy actions to verify purity/breed integrity and to curb unethical breeding by breeders and retailers.
- Create a plan to implement those recommendations.
Key provisions
- Establishment: A five-member Working Group on Responsible Animal Breeding in the Department of Agriculture.
- Objectives (at minimum):
- Develop legislative, administrative, and policy recommendations to verify animals are purebred and responsibly bred.
- Develop processes to ensure ethical breeding practices across the state.
- Study and recommend strategies to eliminate unethical breeding by breeders and retail outlets.
- Develop a plan to implement these recommendations.
- Membership: Five members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, from:
1) An independent animal rights organization headquartered in New Jersey
2) The New Coalition of Responsible Pet Stores
3) The American Kennel Club
4) The New Jersey Farm Bureau
5) The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs
- Appointment timeline: All appointments to be made within 90 days of the act’s effective date; vacancies filled similarly.
- Staffing and support: The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health will provide staffing; the group may use state employees and resources as needed.
- Operations: Chair selected by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the Commissioner of Health; chair may appoint a secretary (not necessarily a member).
- Compensation: Members serve without pay but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses within available funds.
- Reporting deadline: Within one year of organization, the group must prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing findings and recommendations, including actions needed to ensure access to purebred animals via responsible breeding in the state.
- Expiration: The act takes effect immediately and expires upon submission of the final report.
Governance and timeline
- Appointments due within 90 days of enactment.
- First (and only) major deliverable: a comprehensive report within one year.
- Expiration tied to the submission of the final report to the Governor and Legislature.
Who is affected
- Breeders and retail outlets involved in selling purebred animals.
- Pet stores and organizations linked to breeding practices (e.g., AKC, NJ Farm Bureau, NJ Federation of Dog Clubs, animal rights groups, and the New Coalition of Responsible Pet Stores).
- State agencies: Department of Agriculture and Department of Health, which will provide staffing and support.
- General public of New Jersey seeking access to responsibly bred animals.
Legislative status and sponsors
- Introduced by: Primary sponsor Chris Tague; co-sponsor Robert Smullen.
- Related bills listed in prior sessions (A 6022, A 5738, A 10380, etc.), indicating ongoing interest in animal breeding policy.
Impact and considerations
- Potential shift toward formalized oversight of breeding and sales practices within NJ.
- Could lead to standards, certifications, or verification processes for breed purity and ethical breeding.
- Requires funding and administrative capacity for staffing and implementation; the one-year reporting deadline provides a near-term milestone for potential future legislation or administrative action.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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