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CaliforniaAB 5062025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Contracts: sales of dogs and cats.

Sponsored By: Steve Bennett (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Nonrefundable pet deposits banned in 2026

Beginning January 1, 2026, any contract to transfer a dog, cat, or rabbit that requires a nonrefundable deposit is void in California. If you paid under that contract, the seller must refund your money within 30 days after you give notice. Sellers and dealers cannot even offer contracts with those illegal terms or with missing required disclosures. You can sue to get your money back and to stop violations, and if you win you can recover your attorney’s fees and costs. The Attorney General and local prosecutors can also enforce these rules in court.

Sellers must give pet history

The law requires anyone selling a dog, cat, or rabbit to a California buyer to give a written notice at the sale. It must list the animal’s source, breeder name, USDA license number (if any), and birth state, or say what is unknown. It must include vaccine and worming records with dates and types. It must include any vet care or medicines the animal got while with the seller, plus a signed statement with the animal details required by state law.

Rules don't cover shelters or service dogs

These rules do not apply to public animal control agencies or public shelters. The rules also do not limit transfers to or by a government agency. They do not apply to guide, signal, or service dogs covered by California disability law. Those transfers follow other laws instead of these disclosure and deposit rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Bennett

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Marc Berman

    Democratic • House

  • Sabrina Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Haney

    Democratic • House

  • Thomas Umberg

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 254 • No: 8

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 218 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 70 • No: 4

Senate vote • 9/8/2025

Item 270 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 36 • No: 2

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/18/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/8/2025

Vote in CS53

Yes: 13 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/23/2025

Vote in CS42

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 6/2/2025

Item 103 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 71 • No: 2

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/22/2025

Vote in CX33

Yes: 18 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/8/2025

Vote in CX13

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 477, Statutes of 2025.

    10/9/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/9/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

    9/16/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 70. Noes 4. Page 3107.).

    9/9/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/8/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 2. Page 2613.).

    9/8/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/29/2025Senate

  8. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025Senate

  9. In committee: Referred to suspense file.

    8/18/2025Senate

  10. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/10/2025Senate

  11. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (July 8).

    7/9/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/23/2025Senate

  13. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

    6/19/2025Senate

  14. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

    6/17/2025Senate

  15. Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and JUD.

    6/11/2025Senate

  16. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    6/3/2025Senate

  17. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 71. Noes 2. Page 1833.)

    6/2/2025House

  18. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025House

  19. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025House

  20. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    5/7/2025House

  21. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/24/2025House

  22. Read second time and amended.

    4/23/2025House

  23. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 22).

    4/22/2025House

  24. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

    4/8/2025House

  25. Coauthors revised.

    4/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/9/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/11/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    7/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/19/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/17/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    4/23/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    4/1/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/10/2025

    HTML

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