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Bill

A 6185

Exempts livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs from license fees

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe DeStefano and 3 co-sponsors

Exempts livestock guardian and herding dogs from dog license fees, lowering costs for owners and handlers while reducing state licensing revenue.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · A 6185

Summary of Bill A 6185: Exempts livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs from license fees

Overview

Bill A 6185, introduced February 26, 2025, seeks to exempt two specific categories of working dogs—livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs—from dog license fees. The bill is currently REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE.

Sponsored by:
- Primary: John Lemondes
- Cosponsors: Joe DeStefano, Josh Jensen, Stephen Hawley

Legislative actions to date:
- 2025-02-26: REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE (listed twice in the provided record)

What the bill would do

  • The core provision would remove the obligation to pay license fees for livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs.
  • The text provided does not include additional details such as definitions for these categories, any exemptions for output or residency, enforcement mechanisms, or an effective date. Those details would appear in the full bill language and any accompanying notes.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Owners and handlers of livestock guardian dogs (dogs trained to protect livestock from predators) and herding dogs (dogs used to manage and move livestock).
  • Potential administrative effect: The state license-issuing agency would no longer collect license fees for these two dog categories, potentially reducing revenue from dog license fees and altering compliance administration for veterinarians, licensing offices, or agricultural agencies.

Key provisions and potential impact

  • Exemption: Livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs would be exempt from license fees.
  • Scope and definitions: The summary does not specify definitions, eligibility criteria, or whether the exemption applies to all such dogs regardless of use, ownership, or location. Those aspects would be determined by the bill’s language.
  • Fiscal considerations: The exemption could reduce revenue from dog license fees and may require budget or policy adjustments by the licensing agency. The provided information does not include a fiscal note.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • Status: Referred to the Agriculture Committee. If advanced, the bill would likely move to committee consideration, possible amendments, and then floor votes in the respective house.
  • Timelines would depend on committee schedules, potential amendments, and legislative rules for passage.

Related bills

  • A 10713 (prior-session)
  • A 4284 (prior-session)
  • S 1632 (companion; listed twice)
  • These related bills suggest similar or companion measures in other sessions or in the Senate, which could inform debates or provide alternative language.

Bottom line

A 6185 proposes a targeted exemption from dog license fees for livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs, aiming to reduce costs for livestock operations and recognize the specialized roles of these working dogs. The bill is in early committee stages, and further details (definitions, scope, fiscal impact) would be clarified in the full text and subsequent committee actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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