Bill
AB 136
Commercial businesses that allow public interaction with live animals must post a conspicuous animal-control contact sign or face daily fines.
Chapter 72 — Approved by the Governor (2025)
Summary
AB 136 amends NRS 574.053 to require certain commercial establishments that allow members of the public to interact with live animals to post a conspicuous notice with local animal-control contact information, creates an administrative penalty for noncompliance, and exempts Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)–accredited facilities.
Purpose / intent
- Improve public awareness of how to report suspected animal cruelty when the public encounters live animals in commercial settings.
- Encourage timely reporting to local animal control authorities to protect animal welfare.
Key provisions
- Who must post: Owners/operators of commercial establishments “engaged in the business of selling access to live animals to interact with the public.” (Language focuses on businesses that sell access to live-animal interactions rather than broad displays; earlier drafts removing shelters and other categories were retained.)
- Sign requirements:
- Must be conspicuously posted at the location in the establishment where payment is made.
- Minimum size: 8½" x 11".
- Text (in bold type): IF YOU KNOW OR HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT AN ANIMAL IS IN DANGER OR HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO AN ACT OF CRUELTY IN VIOLATION OF NRS 574.100, YOU MAY CONTACT .
- Penalty: Administrative penalty of $100 per day for each day a required sign is not posted.
- Exemption: Facilities that are accredited institutional members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (or successor) are not subject to the signage requirement.
- Definition included: “Animal control authority” means the county- or city-designated entity that enforces local/state animal-control laws (e.g., animal control agency, law enforcement, or a qualified society for the prevention of cruelty to animals).
Related statutory protections retained
- NRS 574.053 still allows any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe an animal was subjected to cruelty to report it to a peace officer, authorized SPCA officer, or animal control officer.
- Disclosure protection remains: willful public release of the identity of a reporter (outside criminal investigation/prosecution) is a misdemeanor.
Who is affected
- Primary: Commercial businesses that sell access to live-animal interactions (examples: petting zoos, some “animal encounter” vendors, operators selling hands-on experiences), which must prepare and display the sign and risk daily fines if they do not.
- Local government/animal-control agencies: may see increased reporting and enforcement workload; the fiscal note notes possible local fiscal impacts.
- AZA-accredited institutions: explicitly exempt.
Fiscal and procedural notes
- Fiscal: Bill includes a fiscal note indicating it may have a fiscal impact on local governments (enforcement, administration); no state fiscal effect reported.
- Timeline/status: AB 136 passed both houses and was chaptered as Chapter 72 (2025) after approval by the Governor; the bill is enacted into law pursuant to the chaptering date. (See official chaptered statute for the exact effective date, which may vary by provision or statutory convention.)
Practical compliance steps for affected businesses
- Prepare and display the required 8½" x 11" sign at the payment location.
- Ensure the sign includes current telephone contact for the relevant local animal control authority.
- Track and promptly replace damaged/removed signage to avoid daily penalties.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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