MN BILL: S.F. 2415 / H.F. 2490
COMPANION ANIMAL BOARD BILL

BILL STATUS: CAB BILL
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Minnesota functions on a biennial legislative session. The 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session began in January 2025 and adjourned May 19, 2025 with a Special Session held June 9. The next session starts in February 2026.

The Minnesota Companion Animal Board (CAB) bill was introduced in 2025 for the 2025-2026 legislative session.

Bill numbers:
MN Senate: S.F. 2415 

• Language as introduced
• Chief author: Sen. Scott Dibble
• Co-Authors: Sen. Dibble, Sen. Johnson Stewart, Sen. Abeler, Sen. Hoffman
• Bill referred to the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural development committee.
• Status: No hearing was granted in the Senate Agriculture committee. This bill will continue to next session. See below for discussion.

MN House: H.F. 2490

• Language as introduced
• Chief author: Rep. Rick Hansen (new author; also chair of the House Agriculture Committee)
• Co-authors: Rep Hansen, Rep. Rehrauer
• Bill referred to the Senate State and Local Government committee.
• Status: No hearing was granted. Bill will continue next session. See discussion below.

Why didn't the bill get a hearing?

• Funds are required to establish the Companion Animal Board. Lack of state funding was a huge issue for this session, which impacted the progress of this bill — and many others. This is why alternative funding sources are being pursued to support duties of this bill.
  
• The MN House is split (67-67) with equal votes between Republicans and Democrats. This meant all committees in the MN House were co-chaired; this added complications as to what bills were heard and would move forward.
• While countless people and organizations (see supporting list) recognize the clear need for this board and support the bill, there is still opposition from those tied closely to agricultural interests or those who profit from animals. This board challenges the status quo and who, traditionally, has had power over pet issues. While pets are not agricultural products (livestock for food or fiber), allowing the pet sector to control its own issues has posed a threat to some associations and state agencies currently in control.
• The committee jurisdiction at the MN Legislature for "pet animals" is directed to the agriculture committee. This must change. See below for discussion. 

Next steps

• This bill will continue to next session.
• Lobbying and advocacy will continue during the interim months. Please support efforts with a donation.

OPPOSITION and IMPROPER COMMITTEE JURISDICTION 

The fact that agriculture (specifically, livestock production and related interests) continues to have power over pet animals is the biggest problem for pet issues in Minnesota and pet welfare.  

• Within the MN Legislature, "pet animals" are directed (assigned) to the agriculture committee for policy and funding. This is defined as "committee jurisdiction." This means pet-related bills, when introduced, are directed to the Agriculture Committees to be heard and discussed.
• Unfortunately, for years the agriculture committee chairs refused to give this bill and other animal welfare bills a hearing. Pet issues have not been a priority within agriculture. We are thankful the House Agriculture committee now has a new chair (Rep. Hansen) who understands the issue.
• Companion animals (pets) are not agricultural products, and yet the legislature is still set up for agriculture (and livestock production interests) to control the pet sector and decide what pet-related issues or bills proceed.
• Pets and the needs of the pet sector must be separated from agriculture.

The committee jurisdiction for pet animals must be changed in both the MN Senate and MN House to prioritize the interests and welfare of pets and people — for this bill and future pet welfare bills. 

Companion animals have unique needs that differ from livestock production and require specific knowledge and expertise - not only from a state agency, but also from the legislative committee that controls all decisions and funding.

NOTE: Many of the committee members supported the CAB bill and understood the need.

BILL PURPOSE AND SCOPE
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Findings
The pet sector has grown significantly in the past decades and yet there is no state agency in Minnesota with a mission dedicated to pets, pet issues, and those who care for these animals.

Creation
The Companion Animal Board bill will establish a board to lead and respond to pet issues statewide, separating these activities from the oversight of and funding by agricultural interests. 

Board and Staff
Members of the board with expertise in pet welfare will be appointed by the Governor; a director and staff will be hired to execute duties defined in the bill. Inclusive representation is required for board appointments and staff hirings to provide diverse perspectives.

Purpose
The Companion Animal Board is created to promote the welfare of companion animals (pets), serve those in the community who care for these animals, and support the human-animal bond. The board will create greater effectiveness and efficiencies in how pet issues are addressed by the state, including how these issues impact people.

Scope
The scope of the MN CAB bill is focused on companion animals and pets as defined in current law: Minn. Stat. sec. 343.20, subd 6 and section 346.36, subd 6. This bill is about pet welfare and civil law - supporting services, resources, and education for the care of pets; and enforcing regulatory laws that pertain to pets. It does not deal with animal cruelty, which requires different skill sets and knowledge. It does not include farmed animals used for food or agricultural product, wildlife, racehorses, or exotic animals such as tigers.

POWERS AND DUTIES
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A Companion Animal Board will establish a board of experts to identify problems and opportunities in the pet sector. This board will be inclusive, representing multiple disciplines and skill sets, including veterinary professionals, state and local government, nonprofit organizations, human welfare, business, academics, and other stakeholders.

These diverse perspectives will set policies and provide advice on pet welfare, working closely with the board's staff.

Primary duties
The Companion Animal Board will address pet issues through three core duties:

• Enforcement: Licensing and Regulation
  This board will enforce the commercial dog and cat breeder law (Minn. Stat. sec. 347.57 - .65) and the kennels and dealers law (Minn. Stat. sec. 347.31 - .40; which licenses and inspects animal shelters and those who meet the definition of that law). Currently, these two laws are administered by the MN Board of Animal Health. When the bill is passed, these two laws will be transferred to the CAB for enforcement.
  NOTE: There are no other state regulatory laws in Minnesota for pets. The two laws above apply to dogs and cats only. No other regulation can occur for any other species without someone first writing a bill and it being introduced, heard, and passed by the Legislature.
  NOTE: There has been discussion about the need to regulate animal rescue organizations. Currently, a few animal rescues meet the definition of the kennels and dealers law and are licensed by the state; however, a vast majority are not. This is yet another reason to pass the Companion Animal Board. If a bill is introduced and enacted to regulate animal rescue organizations in Minnesota, it can be directed to the Companion Animal Board, which will have expertise in pet welfare and care, to administer the law and provide oversight and guidance.
  
  
• Services and Resources
  With a mission dedicated to pet issues, the Companion Animal Board will promote pet-related services statewide.
  To support these services and incentivize solutions to problems, the CAB will have a grant program; grants will be available to nonprofit organizations, veterinary clinics, local government, and academic institutions.

• Communication and Education
  Because the CAB will be led by board members and staff with expertise in pet welfare, this board will be the expert resource on pet welfare and pet issues for government officials, nonprofits, and the public. As companion animals positively impact human health, the board will also lead discussions on interactions between pets and people — making these issues a priority. It will support humane education and outreach related to pet care. 
  

FUNDING
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Many bills require funding to support administration of duties and powers. In addition to direct appropriations from the Legislature (from general funds), it is important to look to alternative funding sources. Animal Folks is working on multiple ideas for funding to assist services within the pet sector.