BILL NUMBER: S1632
SPONSOR: BORRELLO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to exempt-
ing livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs from license fees
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To define livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs and to exempt them
from dog licensing fees
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 would amend Section 108 of the. Agriculture and Markets Law to
define the terms "livestock guardian dog" and "herding dog".
Section 2 would amend Subdivision 2 of section 110 of the Agriculture
and Markets Law to exempt livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs from
licensing fees.
Section 3 establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Working dogs play a vital role in the agricultural community and provide
an important service to farmers, whether protecting apple orchards from
deer, herding livestock, or protecting livestock from predators. Live-
stock guardian dogs and herding dogs are currently treated the same as
pets when it comes to being charged licensing fees. These working dogs
are not family pets and must go through rigorous and expensive training
to achieve working designations. Although it is not a large fee,
exempting both livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs will lessen the
burden for farmers and allow them to keep working dogs on their proper-
ty.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S5022/A4284 Referred to agriculture
2023: S5022/A4284 Referred to agriculture
09/09/22 referred to agriculture
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

Statutes affected:
S1632: 108 agriculture and markets law, 110 agriculture and markets law, 110(2) agriculture and markets law