# Illinois HB4778: ANIMAL WELFARE-DOG DEALER

Illinois HB4778, ANIMAL WELFARE-DOG DEALER, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Rita Mayfield (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-03-27 (Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4778-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB4778
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: ANIMAL WELFARE-DOG DEALER
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-02
- Last action: 2026-03-27, Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Rita Mayfield (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: agriculture & conservation
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that the definition of "dog dealer" does not include a person who sells dogs at retail to the public. Provides that a person who sells dogs at retail to the public, shall not be considered an animal shelter under the Act. Defines "at retail to the public". Requires a dog breeder to provide each dog in the dog breeder's facility with a primary enclosure that complies with certain requirements. Requires a dog breeder to provide all adult dogs in the dog breeder's facility with constant, unfettered access to an exercise area of sufficient size to ensure proper physical development, health, and socialization. Provides that the exercise area should, at a minimum, be at least twice the amount of space required for the primary enclosure. Provides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend or revoke a license due to an individual operating without a proper license under the Act.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Rita Mayfield (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Barbara Hernandez (Democratic), House

## Actions (6)

- 2026-03-27: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-03-23: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez (House)
- 2026-03-18: Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee (House)
- 2026-02-06: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-02-06: First Reading (House)
- 2026-02-02: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Rita Mayfield (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4778.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4778.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4778-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).