This bill establishes the Companion Animal Board in Minnesota, which will oversee the welfare of companion animals such as cats and dogs. The board will take over the licensing and inspection of kennels and commercial breeders from the Board of Animal Health, effective July 1, 2026. Comprising 13 members appointed by the governor, the board will have the authority to create rules, administer grants, and provide education on responsible pet ownership. It will also manage a companion animal account with appropriations of $2,854,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $3,057,000 for fiscal year 2027, and is required to publish annual reports on its activities.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the appointment of board members and veterinary protocols for commercial breeders. It specifies that appointments to fill unexpired terms must come from the same classes as the retiring members and mandates the election of a president and vice-president from among the board members. The bill also requires commercial breeders to develop a written veterinary protocol for disease control and care, which must be updated annually and shared with the Board of Animal Health. This protocol will take effect on January 1, 2026, and the board will be responsible for reporting disease-related testing to the Board of Animal Health.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 35.02, 347.58